Filipino priest returns home to aid in relief efforts

Last updated on: November 14, 2013 at 3:29 pm by CNA Daily News

Filipino priest returns home to aid in relief efforts 2013-11-14T15:29:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Nov 14, 2013 / 08:29 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A priest from the coastal city in the Philippines which was recently devastated by a typhoon, has decided to come back to his hometown in order to assist his family and those in need.

“I have my congregation and my parents on my mind,” Fr. Erwin Balagapo said in a Nov. 13 interview with Rome Reports.

Fr. Balagapo is currently studying in Rome, and is originally from Tacloban, one of the cities along the coast of the Philippines that was practically destroyed in by the deadly Typhoon Haiyan which hit the area last Friday, Nov. 8, and has so far killed and estimated 10,000 people, according to Rome Reports.

The priest decided to fly back to the area after receiving no word from his family for five days after the storm hit, saying that “Of course, I pray so that they're OK. But with 10,000 people dead,” he didn’t want to count on anything.

“Right away,” after he heard of the damage, Fr. Balagapo stated that he “looked for ways to get in touch with them.”

“I called my archbishop, I called the priests who are there. I also saw on the Internet a photo of one of my colleagues at the seminary. They're searching for him.”

Despite his the fear and concern for his loved ones, the priest admitted that “in the end, it's in God's hands, right? It may not be easy to say it, but it is the Year of Faith, after all, right?”

Fortunately just five hours before his flight departed, Fr. Balagapo received a call from his brother in the Philippines. Due to poor reception and damage done to the communication lines, the call only lasted for about 25 seconds, but it was enough time for the priest to hear that his family is ok.

With that good news in mind, Fr. Balagapo left Rome on Wednesday morning for Milan, where he was scheduled to meet a soldier who would take him on board one of the numerous military planes headed to the area to assist in aid efforts.

Once there, the priest was told to have his stole handy, because he would likely be very busy.

“They told me that if people see a priest, they will ask for blessings,” Fr. Balagapo recalled, “I can imagine the type of help that as a priest I can provide. I'm scared. I don't know what awaits me there, in my home.”

“But I hope to see my parents. I'm picturing now my mother's face, my father's, my sister who was here, and my brother, who's in Bohol helping.”

Fr. Balagapo revealed that once things begin to get back to normal in Tacloban, he will think about returning to Rome to complete his studies, but for now he is staying where he believes he’s most needed.

Vatican

Previous Post

November 14, 2013

Pope Francis: Kingdom of God 'comes by wisdom'

Next Post

November 14, 2013 Vatican intervenes to clarify marriage teaching in Germany

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who did Jesus call out of the tomb after four days?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Lazarus Mary Jairus Bartimaeus