Catholics on a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean are rejoicing after hearing that their church will be rebuilt in the wake of a devastating tsunami which ravaged the Solomon Islands.
Help from Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will enable the people of Gaomai Island to build a new church after the old one was badly damaged in July of 2007. The church suffered a pounding when the Solomon Islands were hit by a tsunami and two earthquakes which left more than 50 people dead and around 9,000 homeless. Just 16 feet from the seashore, the structure partially collapsed and now the church floods at high tide. The new church will be erected further inland.
Taking time out from a meeting of the local bishops’ conference in Papua New Guinea, close to the Solomons, Bishop Luciano Capelli of Gizo expressed his gratitude to ACN and its benefactors for providing help to rebuild the church. Thanks to ACN’s benefactors, the charity was able to give more than $65,700 for the rebuilding work in Gaomai, where an average annual income of less than $430 meant locals could not afford a new church.
The bishop described how the cataclysmic events of two years ago had affected the inhabitants of the islands. He said, “The people of the Gizo Diocese are slowly recovering from the trauma that shook and changed their lives radically. They have struggled to survive for two years. They are now focusing on rebuilding their homes and schools. The churches are badly damaged but usable — I myself encouraged them to give priority to their homes and the school — and we think the Lord is happy about this decision.”
Although parts of the church collapsed during the tsunami, people are still gathering there for prayer. The bishop said, “During high tide it easily gets flooded since the seas are rising and on top of that the island sunk a little after the earthquake — the church is [a few] meters from the sea.” Fears that if rebuilt in its current position it could again be damaged by severe weather led to what the bishop describes as “a painful decision” to re-site the church further inland.
Bishop Capelli visited Gaomai last December for Confirmations and to discuss rebuilding plans with the community. Later in May he will be returning to inspect progress. He will also be visiting the community on Moli, which has also received help from ACN, where they have started repair works on the wharf and the church.
The bishop told ACN, “Currently they are concentrating on rebuilding their houses, clinic and school –- but they are keen to start rebuilding the church, too.”