Natural disasters
The Latest
California parish serves as refuge amid damaging wildfire
The blaze, dubbed the Mountain Fire, erupted last week amid high winds and dry, fire-prone conditions. Read more
Michigan parish packs 100,000 meals for disaster victims in the South
More than 400 volunteers streamed into the social hall at St. Isidore Catholic Church in the Michigan township of Macomb... Read more
Sioux City Diocese to hold special collection after devastating Iowa floods
Sioux City Bishop Walker Nickless has established a flood victims relief collection to be taken in all diocesan parishes July... Read more
Heavy rains in Brazil leave hundreds dead or injured, half a million homeless, churches flooded
The heavy rains that have pounded the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have flooded 31 churches in the... Read more
Catholic Relief Services warns of disease, ‘long-term’ hunger amid devastating Ghana flood
A CRS representative in Ghana said 200,000 hectares remain covered by water in the southeastern part of the country, impacting... Read more
Major earthquake in Morocco kills more than 1,000
Pope Francis offered the country his “prayerful communion in the face of this natural disaster.” Read more
‘For us, it’s like a miracle’: Catholic church appears to survive devastating Maui fire
The death toll from the disaster, which stood at 93 on Aug. 13, is expected to rise as search crews... Read more
Catholic Charities helps to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Ian
Local and national Catholic Charities agencies are working to assess needs and provide aid after Hurricane Ian devastated Florida’s Gulf... Read more
Pope Francis prays for victims of Gaylord tornado
Pope Francis expressed his closeness on Tuesday to the victims of a tornado that struck Gaylord last week, killing two... Read more
Pope Francis prays for cyclone victims in Madagascar
The pope sent a telegram to Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina on Feb. 19 as the island in the Indian Ocean... Read more
Cardinal Czerny leads prayer service after Tonga volcano
Cardinal Michael Czerny on Monday led a prayer service for Tonga, after an underwater volcanic eruption caused a devastating tsunami... Read more
Pope Francis offers prayers for the people of Tonga after volcanic eruption and tsunami
He said: ‘I invite everyone to join me in praying for these brothers and sisters.’ Read more
Neighbors' generosity after Colorado fire has been 'extraordinary', displaced family says
A Catholic couple who lost their home in a historic Colorado wildfire late last year say they have experienced “absolutely... Read more
'Hail Full of Grace!': Colorado resident pens reflection after losing home in Marshall Fire
On Dec. 30, a fast-moving wildfire destroyed approximately 1,000 homes and structures in Louisville, Superior and unincorporated Boulder County. Among... Read more
Archbishop Aquila opens parishes, launches emergency fund for victims of Colorado wildfires
Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver announced on Friday the establishment of an emergency fund to assist victims of the most... Read more
Despite Kentucky tornadoes, Virgin Mary statue still stands—and Catholics offer help
The deadly storms that hit nine states in the Midwest and the South produced an image of a statue of... Read more
Thomas Aquinas College builds helipad to assist in fighting wildfires
Four years after a massive wildfire threatened the school, a Catholic college in southern California has installed a helipad on... Read more
Louisiana schools closed amid prayers for survivors in the wake of Hurricane Ida
At least one Catholic church in New Orleans has opened its doors to serve as an emergency shelter amid widespread... Read more
Venezuelan bishops criticize National Guard for obstructing aid to victims of rains, landslides
The Venezuelan bishops’ conference criticized on Monday the Venezuelan National Guard for hindering the work of providing humanitarian aid to... Read more
US bishops welcome resumption of temporary protections for Haitian migrants
The chairs of the US bishops’ committees on migration and international justice and peace on Monday commended the Biden administration’s... Read more
