HINIKAYAT ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) nitong Lune sang mga mananampalatay na iwaksi ang pag-iisip na isang parusa mula sa Diyos ang mga nararanasang kalamidad.

“Earthquakes and typhoons and ash falls are signs that we are still living in an imperfect natural world. They are natural disasters. Unfortunately, persons who live close to volcanoes, or who build their homes along waterways, or who live along the corridor of typhoons and hurricanes are the victims of destruction and the hapless sufferers, not because God punishes them. It is not because God hates them, but because that is just the nature of this imperfect world,” ayon sa CBCP sa isang pastoral message na nilagdaan ni Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles sa pagtatapos ng 120th Plenary Assembly sa Manila.

Siniguro rin niya na lagi’t laging kasama ng mga tao ang Diyos sa panahon ng paghihirap.

“God accompanies us in the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and floods and storms not as a Great Punisher but as the Great Loving Emmanuel, One to whom we can turn assured that He will never forsake the people who call on His name. These calamities can be opportunities for grace and blessings,” aniya.

Naniniwala rin siya na may mga pagkakataong kailangang magtulungan ng mga tao.

Aniya, ang mga kalamidad ay isang paalala ng Diyos na pangalagaan dapat ng mga tao ang kalikasan at tumuling sa mga nangangailangan.

“God is purifying us how to treat Mother Nature as our common home. Though not all calamities can be caused by human activities, like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, some are proven by science as human-induced, like floods and droughts and typhoons.

We should change our ways so as not to contribute to climate change which brings about ravages of nature. These calamities call for conversion. These calamities appeal for deeper compassion,” ayon pa kay Valles.

Kasama ng pagbibigay-diin na ito na ang tamang panahon para sa pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa, hinikayat niya ang mga mananampalataya na magpakita ng pagtulong at isantabi ang kanilang mga kagustuhan upang makatulong sa kapwa.

Sa kabilang banda, kinilala ni Valle sang pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na tumulong sa mga apektado ng pagputok ng Bulkang Taal sa Batangas at sa mga kalapit na probinsiya.

“We laud the government for the effort it has taken to rescue our fellow Filipinos within the danger zone and to evacuate them to centers of refuge. But we must continue to ask that budgetary priorities be set aright so that the Department of Science and Technology, and in particular, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology, maybe more adequately supported, so that observations and studies may be more helpful, and findings may be more precise. We commend the DOST and Phivolcs for their heroic services despite the limitations of funds and equipment,” aniya.

Isinulong din niya ang pagtatayo ng mga permanenteng evacuation centers sa mga lugar na madalas maapektuhan ng kalamidad.

Hindi rin naman niya nakalimutan na purihin ang pagtulong ng mga Pilipino sa mga biktima ng pagsabog.

“Already, we have been witnesses to the enthusiasm with which other Filipinos have responded not only because of pity but because of Christian solidarity,” ani Valles.

Dagdag pa niya, “In all these, we see the strength of God at work. It is the selflessness with which Filipinos and other people from all over the world have responded with empathy and genuine concern to the needs of those now suffering privation that allows us to acknowledge the goodness and the mercy of God.