“Let Yolanda’s lessons of hope and solidarity carry us through this pandemic” – Bishop

Eight years after Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated multiple areas, a Catholic bishop urged people to follow their lessons on resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan wishes that the anniversary will be a commemoration of hope and solidarity among the communities that continue to grapple with the health crisis.

“Let’s follow through with the lessons of resilience, hope and solidarity in these challenging times,” said Varquez.

He said many of the disasters are related to climate change, as pointed out by experts, and also urged the public to “hear our planet’s call for joint action to save our common home”.

In order to achieve this, the bishop urged the public to heed Pope Francis’ call for an “ecological conversion”.

“We need to move away from the sins of environmental abuse and neglect to show that we really return to the Lord and really care for one another,” said Varquez.

Yolanda has killed more than 6,000 people and still thousands are missing and more than five million people displaced after hitting the central Philippines on November 8, 2013.

The prelate asked the believers to thank the Lord “that we are resurrected from the terrible destruction” brought about by the typhoon.

“We have seen God’s saving acts at work in our own history,” he said. “We thank the individuals, groups, and organizations who have helped us stand up and relax, and we never forget them in our prayers.”

He also urged believers to pray for the people who were killed by the typhoon and delivered from all calamities.