By Eric Martin
In what has been one of the worst bushfire seasons in recorded history, Australia has been afflicted with a natural disaster of almost biblical proportions – with some 19,000,000 hectares of farmland, national park, and state forest torched by the flames.
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, released a statement in January regarding the then-ongoing crisis.
“Australia is facing an unprecedented calamity as fire engulfs the land in many places. We have all seen the apocalyptic images, even if we are not in the areas most affected. Lives have been lost, homes and towns have been destroyed, smoke has shrouded large swathes of our country,” Archbishop Coleridge stated.
“The efforts of firefighters have been heroic. The resilience of the communities affected has been extraordinary. This has been Australia at its best, and we all stand with those who have been most stricken and with those who are putting their lives on the line to fight the fires.”
Though the fires have finally stopped burning – thanks to large swathes of the Eastern States being recently inundated by record levels of rainfall – the long-term effects of the natural disaster continue to be felt, as small towns and rural communities struggle to pick up the pieces.
Perth has also felt the heat of the flames this summer, with the parishes of Baldivis and Yanchep/Two Rocks being particularly affected.
The fires at Yanchep burned out of control for six days across 13,000 hectares from 11 December, threatening homes, forcing evacuations and destroying the landmark Yanchep service station.
Up to 400 firefighters were called in to try and contain the flames.
The blaze in Baldivis, started accidentally on 9 January by sparks from a broken boat trailer wheel, burned through some 1,330 hectares and destroyed a shed, with the strong sea breeze driving embers up to 400m ahead of the fire front, making it extremely difficult to contain.
Situations included closure of the Kwinana Freeway by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) because of thick smoke from the fire in Baldivis and an emergency warning was issued, asking residents to leave their homes for the temporary evacuation centre at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex in Rockingham.
“I would encourage each of you to maintain your prayerful support for all who have been impacted by the bushfires, and to consider how you may contribute to lending your support to the St Vincent de Paul Bushfire Appeal,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
In support of all those affected by the fires, the Perth Catholic community came together at St Mary’s Cathedral on Australia Day, 26 January for a special Mass for the victims and survivors of the bushfires, and for all who have been affected in any way by this disaster.
The special Bushfire Mass was celebrated around the country with all funds raised donated to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal.
In his homily for the Mass, Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe SDB invited the congregation to be “the light in the midst of darkness the country is facing” by giving generously to the Vinnies bushfire relief fund to support bushfire-affected communities.
“The darkness which descended on people as the thick smoke blotted out the light of the sun, and the shadow of death which enveloped so much of our land, have been frightening, destructive and deadly.
“Whenever we are faced with great suffering or tragedy it is understandable if we ask ourselves why God allows such terrible things to happen,” Archbishop Costelloe added.
“Whenever we are faced with great suffering or tragedy it is understandable if we ask ourselves why God allows such terrible things to happen.”
“We are tempted, perhaps, to doubt whether all that Jesus tells us about God, that he is a loving Father who cares for his children, can actually be trusted.
“Or perhaps, even if we do not doubt, we still cry out with anguish, or understand and identify with those who do cry out with anguish, as Jesus himself did: ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why have you abandoned us?’,” he continued.
Archbishop Costelloe emphasised that while God may seem to have allowed for the sufferings to happen, it is important for us to trust that God is also joining us, lending us his strength and offering us the saving power of his presence in enduring our sufferings.
“The two sayings of Jesus on the Cross, which seem to be in contradiction to each other, are in fact two deeply human and completely harmonious responses to great suffering,” he added.
“It is faith, trusting faith, which enables us to commit ourselves and our lives into God’s hands at moments of great suffering and pain.”
Father Brian Lucas, National Director of Catholic Mission, said the unique circumstances called for contingency.
“We have many supporters in badly affected dioceses across Australia and it is incumbent on us to offer a missionary response and to enable those who want to prioritise their friends, families and fellow Australians affected by these devastating bushfires to do so,” Fr Lucas added.
“We are still working on the facilitation of a national network connecting people affected by the bushfires with people who can help with tasks such as preparing meals, clearing properties, rebuilding communities, as well as pastoral and counselling support.”
David Harrison, Catholic Mission’s Wollongong Diocesan Director – an area heavily impacted by the crisis – said the local and international response had been heartening.
“Communities right down the south coast are doing it really tough at the moment, but it’s inspiring how so many – from local parishes to celebrities – have pulled together to support those who have lost everything,” Mr Harrison said.
The mission organisation announced on Monday, 13 January that it will partner with Vinnies during the relic pilgrimage of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents, Louis and Zélie Martin.
The partnership will allow Vinnies to collect donations and raise funds for their bushfire appeal during the relics’ four-month pilgrimage which commenced on 22 January.
Catholic Mission is inviting those who are attending the relics’ four-month pilgrimage across 17 dioceses in Australia – including the Archdiocese of Perth – to donate and reconsidered plans to raise funds for its global mission projects.
“We recognise that it is difficult to focus on the need abroad when an unprecedented crisis of such scale is happening here in Australia,” Fr Lucas stated.
From pages 12 to 14 of Issue 24: Soul: ‘Nurturing the Spiritual Principle in Us’ of The Record Magazine