From the Bishops Oil Spill

Jun 17, 2010

"God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good." (Genesis 1:31)

The oil continues to gush from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico despoiling the waters of the sea, pristine beaches, and lush marshes that have been created by the hand of God.

For more than seven weeks we have watched a disaster unfold before our eyes. It is a man-made disaster that has taken human lives and is defiling the creation God has made for us. As we have followed the news of the efforts to stop the gushing oil, different names have been given to each new attempt: the dome, the top hat, the cap, the junk shot, and the top kill. Seven weeks and counting and the nightmare continues.

Eleven families have lost loved ones.

Countless families have been financially impacted.

Wildlife has been killed.

Waters, marshes, and beaches damaged to a degree that is impossible to accurately measure or to predict the length of time that will be needed in order to heal the damage.

We have received assurances that the leak will be plugged, the marshes and beaches protected, the victims compensated, and nature cleaned and returned to its pre-spill state. We rely upon these assurances and expect that they will be honored.

In the meantime we can be excused for becoming frustrated and impatient. People’s livelihoods are in danger and a way of life endangered. Yet we as individuals are limited in what we can do. Therefore, we look to our federal leaders to address this man-made disaster that occurred in federal waters and involves a foreign corporation.

We can do two things. First, help one another. Neighbor helping neighbor can be a great blessing to those who are suffering both financially and emotional from the toll of this catastrophe. For those who know people who have been affected by the spill, please seek ways to reach out to them. For those who do not know someone affected, please remember that our Catholic Charities Appeal through Catholic Social Services is assisting many in need through the Catholic Social Service Office in Baldwin County and Saint Margaret Parish in Bayou La Batre. Any donation to help those in our coastal counties who are in need because of the spill can be sent to Catholic Social Services, 400 Government Street, Mobile, 36602. I am proud of the commitment of our Catholic Social Services to be present in times of need.

Second, we can pray. We can pray that God will give wisdom, strength, and a determined "fire in the gut" to those seeking to stop the oil and to contain the damage. We can pray that the oil may dissipate in the waters of the Gulf in such as way as not to bring harm to land and sea, and we can pray for those impacted by this spill that they may know that God is with them in everything. We are praying for this in all the churches of the Archdiocese of Mobile. This is what all of us need to fervently ask of God with the confidence of faith.

Reprinted with permission from The Archdiocese of Mobile.

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