People of Every Faith, Uniting to Help Others
Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, Chairman, Catholic Relief Services
How can we as Christians understand the overwhelming tragedies? Faith. When I visited St. Frances de Sales Hospital in Haiti shortly after that troubled nation’s devastating earthquake, I witnessed the profound sorrow, tragedy and darkness of the suffering and death of Jesus, but also the radiance, and hope of his Resurrection.
The hospital was more than 70 percent destroyed, including the neonatal unit, where more than 40 babies died. Mothers crying next to the remains of crushed incubators asked me to pray with them, and bless the unintended grave. It was a Good Friday experience like no other, an experience of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
But as I visited the sick, injured, grieving, and homeless, I also saw hope reminiscent of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. I saw it in the outpouring of aid and donations from the American people, and in the faces of our troops, who were simultaneously tough, professional and tender. I saw it in the response of people of every faith, uniting to help. And I saw it in the Haitian people, crying, suffering, and hurting, but also resilient and determined to rebuild.
