杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis asked for everyone 鈥渢o pray to the Lord to help the people [of Australia] in this difficult time" as major fires rage across the nation. Addressing Australian speaking pilgrims at the General Audience, the Holy Father said 鈥淚 am close to the Australian people鈥�.

Major bushfires have broken out around Australia, with more than 10.3 million hectares (25.5 million acres) of land burned in recent weeks. More than twenty people have lost their lives in the fires.

Authorities warn of revitalized blazes

Australian authorities warned people on Wednesday to prepare for another wave of evacuations as temperatures in the country's southeast began to rise after a days-long cool spell, bringing the danger of revitalised blazes.

Firefighters have used the break from extreme heat and high winds to strengthen containment lines around several major fires, as the military continued efforts to provide supplies to thousands of people who have been left homeless.

Complicating the recovery effort, authorities have forecast another temperature spike as soon as Friday, with little rain, meaning a return to hazardous conditions.

Response of the Church in Australia

Earlier this week, the president of the Australian Bishops Conference, Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, issued a about the 鈥渦nprecedented鈥� crisis facing the country. Like 杏MAP导航 Francis, he too called for prayer, noting that 鈥淎 genuine Catholic response to a crisis of this magnitude must draw strength from prayer which inspires concrete and compassionate action鈥�.

Archbishop Coleridge announced that the Bishops Conference is preparing a national response to the fires, including assistance to those affected by the fires, collaboration with aid agencies, and a special collection to be taken up this weekend.

鈥淲ith broad and deep roots across the nation鈥�, the Archbishop said, 鈥渢he Church stands ready to walk alongside people throughout their journey of recovery鈥�.