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Only a few walls remain standing at St. Peter's-by-the-Sea, Gulfport, Miss., in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. For details on conditions in the Diocese of Mississippi, click here. (Frank Polich/Reuters photo)
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Posted on 08/31/2005 6:08:05 PM PDT by sionnsar
The whereabouts and safety of all but two of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast clergy have been confirmed, according to the diocese’s canon to the ordinary. But Hurricane Katrina has demolished at least six of the 10 parishes in the Coastal Convocation.
The Rev. Canon David Johnson reported that the diocese has had no word from a priest and deacon, but communications remain “difficult” as electricity and telephone services were down across the state as far north as Jackson.
The Rev. Canon John Macdonald, assistant professor of mission and evangelism at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, told TLC he had been in cell phone contact with the Rev. Marcia King, curate of St. John’s Church, Ocean Springs. She chose not to evacuate, remaining at her home near the coast during the hurricane.
As of Aug. 31, the diocese had no reports on three parishes: St John’s, Ocean Springs; St. Pierre, Gautier; and St. John’s, Pascagoula.
Canon Johnson said Christ Church, Bay Saint Louis; Trinity, Pass Christian; St. Patrick’s, Long Beach; St. Peter’s, Gulfport; St. Mark’s, Gulfport; and Redeemer, Biloxi, had been “demolished.”
The only coastal parish that survived Katrina was St. Thomas’, Diamondhead, he said.
The Rev. James B. Roberts, rector for the past 36 years of St Mark’s, Gulfport, told the diocese he and his parish successfully weathered Hurricane Camille in 1969, but Katrina had been far worse with the storm surge and winds destroying the parish.
The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III, Bishop of Mississippi, and his staff held a conference telephone call with the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Jenkins III, Bishop of Louisiana, representatives from Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), and other dioceses afflicted by the storm to assess damage and find ways of coordinating relief efforts. ERD’s emergency grant of $10,000 was increased today to $25,000 to provide funds for damage assessment and short-term assistance.
To make an ERD contribution to help people affected by Hurricane Katrina, please donate to the U.S. Hurricane Fund by credit card here or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can also be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o U.S. Hurricane Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.
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Only a few walls remain standing at St. Peter's-by-the-Sea, Gulfport, Miss., in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. For details on conditions in the Diocese of Mississippi, click here. (Frank Polich/Reuters photo)
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Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Let us all pray for these Epsicopalian communities of faith, for their clergy, and for the missing clergy.
I wish them all well and hope they and their parishioners are safe!
Prayers for all.
Someone on Hugh Hewitt's show this afternoon expressed concern over the Archbishop of New Orleans. He'd been heard from yesterday, but not since.
Prayers unceasing for our brothers and sisters -- we are all Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve at this difficult time and perhaps this will help to bring us together again.
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