The president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Cardinal Robert Sarah, will inaugurate 19 new houses and a chapel in Guatemala for families left homeless by tropical storms that struck the country in 2010 and 2011.
Guatemala was hit hardest in 2010 by Hurricane Agatha, which caused major flooding and landslides. An estimated 152 Guatemalans died in the initial rages of the storm and 100 were left missing from the devastation. The natural disaster caused over $1.1 billion dollars in damages in Central America. A tropical storm that followed worsened conditions, leaving thousands homeless.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the new houses were made possible “thanks to a gift of the Holy Father.”
Cardinal Sarah will meet with representatives from Caritas Guatemala on Wednesday, as well as an educational facility for young poor people.
The inauguration ceremony will take place the following day in Cuilapa in the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima. The building of the new houses was a coordinated effort between the local Church and the Apostolic Nunciature in Guatemala. (J.A.E.)
