Japan: Hundreds of Catholic youth volunteer

Japan: poise amid fear; hundreds of Catholic youth volunteer

 

March 16, 2011

Hundreds of Catholic youth from all over Japan have volunteered to assist the victims of the Sendai earthquake and tsunami, according to Father Daisuke Narui, director of Caritas Japan.
"Today the dominant feeling is fear," Father Narui told the Fides news agency. "The biggest concern is that of the nuclear power plant in Fukushima. It is a ghost from Japanese history coming back to haunt us. But it must be said that the people are not indulging in panic, instead they are reacting with poise and dignity."
"Only the people within the first 20 kilometers [12 miles] of the nuclear power plant have been evacuated," he added. "The rest are waiting. Furthermore, in the worst affected areas the main problem is the lack of food and fuel. As there is no fuel, people can not move. And they are left feeling powerless in the face of this tragedy."



Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

• Youth volunteers are mobilising in the areas affected by the earthquake; lack of food and fuel (Fides)
• Bishop near quake's epicenter: 'We trust in God and ask for prayers' (CWN, 3/15)

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"The protection of human life [at all its stages] is the "rock solid and inviolable" foundation upon which all other human rights are based." - Benedict XVI