austraLasia 977
Thailand: the situation there as seen by Fr Theparat Pitisant, the new Provincial
BANGKOK: 29th December '04 -- We would normally speak of a 'baptism of fire'. We all know that the situation for Fr Theparat, as he takes up his new role as provincial of the Thai province precisely at this time, has been a baptism of another kind. He writes:
"At present, the casualty toll from Sunday's catastrophe in the six southern provinces of Thailand has shot up to 1,543 deaths and 8,950 injuries. The toll is going up everyday as new bodies are showing up. All the stricken provinces are in the Salesian diocese of Surathani where 19 Salesians are working. However, no Salesians are among the casualties."
"The newly appointed Salesian bishop of Surathani, Joseph Prathan, has set up a relief centre to help the victims. The centre works in close cooperation with the government and other private agencies. Fr. Tito Pedron, the Rector of the Salesian studentate, and the Brothers from there are now in the stricken area to provide assistance to injured victims. The Salesians and the Sisters of the Immaculate heart of Mary, a Congregation founded by a Salesian, work hand in hand at the relief centre. They go out everyday to different affected areas to provide relief aid."
"Bishop Prathan told me through telephone contact that the consumer goods donated by the public was sufficient and even exceeded the local demand. What the people need now is cash or construction materials. Another urgent need is for interpreters since many victims are foreign nationals. Few local people can communicate with them."
The Salesian province of Thailand has donated an amount of money to Bishop Prathan for
the relief operations and is asking all the Salesian institutions to raise funds amongst the students and parents to help restore the devastated provinces."
"The newly appointed Salesian bishop of Surathani, Joseph Prathan, has set up a relief centre to help the victims. The centre works in close cooperation with the government and other private agencies. Fr. Tito Pedron, the Rector of the Salesian studentate, and the Brothers from there are now in the stricken area to provide assistance to injured victims. The Salesians and the Sisters of the Immaculate heart of Mary, a Congregation founded by a Salesian, work hand in hand at the relief centre. They go out everyday to different affected areas to provide relief aid."
"Bishop Prathan told me through telephone contact that the consumer goods donated by the public was sufficient and even exceeded the local demand. What the people need now is cash or construction materials. Another urgent need is for interpreters since many victims are foreign nationals. Few local people can communicate with them."
The Salesian province of Thailand has donated an amount of money to Bishop Prathan for
the relief operations and is asking all the Salesian institutions to raise funds amongst the students and parents to help restore the devastated provinces."
"Bishop Prathan, through his inspection of the areas, found one village ravaged by the massive tidal waves that seemed to be overlooked by the state agencies. So, he has taken up the responsibility to help restore this village through reconstruction of school and houses. Donations, therefore, are needed for the restoration of this village. Those who wish to help Bishop Prathan can send donations directly to him or through Salesian Provincial House, Thailand.
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