Support Diocese of Hai Phong, Vietnam

 
Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, requests that all parishes consider a special collection to support the Diocese of Hai Phong, Vietnam, which has been devastated along with the rest of northern Vietnam by Typhoon Yagi.
 
Our diocese has a special relationship with the Hai Phong Diocese, which has provided two priests, Father Anthony Huong Van Le and Father Thi Van Hoang, to serve in our diocese.
 
Typhoon Yagi has devastated northern Vietnam, particularly the provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Lao Cai. The storm has caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in at least 233 deaths and 103 people still missing. More than 50,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged, leaving thousands of families without shelter. The agricultural sector has been severely affected, with more than 184,000 hectares of crops destroyed, leading to economic hardship for local communities. Additionally, the storm has disrupted transportation networks, causing power outages and communication disruptions for more than 438,000 people. The region's infrastructure has been severely damaged, with numerous roads, bridges, and buildings destroyed or damaged. 
 
Bishop Barber authorizes pastors to take up a voluntary second collection no later than Sept. 29. This is at the discretion of each pastor, and is not required. 
 
Checks should be addressed to "Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland" with notation: "Vietnam disaster relief' and sent to the diocesan Finance Department no later than Friday, Oct. 4. We will send one check to Caritas of the Diocese of Hai Phong. 
 
For more on the effects of Typhoon Yagi, see this story from LicasNews, the Catholic news agency for southeast Asia.