More than $141,240 has been collected for flood relief in West Virginia through special collections held by neighboring dioceses.
The special collections were held in July and August in the Diocese of Greensburg, Pa.; the Diocese of Lexington, Ky.; the Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio; and the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio. Officials of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston said that funds will be used to provide support to victims of the June floods in West Virginia through the outreach services of Catholic Charities West Virginia and related agencies.
Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, thanked the faithful of the dioceses and their bishops for their generous support of flood victims. “I am very grateful for the generous contributions by parishioners in our neighboring dioceses, and I thank my brother bishops for coordinating these special collections, which will support our flood relief efforts,” Bransfield said. “A total of four dioceses held collections to support our recovery efforts, and when I share this information with families that have been devastated by the floods, they are quite taken aback at the generosity and goodwill from the broader church. They know that we walk with them during this difficult moment.
“I have personally visited many of the hardest hit areas, particularly communities such as White Sulphur Springs, Richwood, Rupert and Rainelle,” the bishop continued. “Elkview, Clendenin and other towns have also been devastated by flooding, and it is clear to me that it will take significant resources for families in these areas to recover.”
Bransfield also noted that Catholic Charities and local parish outreach efforts continue to meet the needs of those affected. “From direct assistance for food, clothing and shelter to providing new appliances and furniture,” Bransfield said, “the Catholic Church in West Virginia is actively meeting the needs of flood victims while ministering to their spiritual need for hope and compassion.”
