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Papal Message Regarding the Maui Wildfires

August 11, 2023

Bishop Larry Silva received the Papal Message below regarding the Maui wildfires on Friday, August 11, 2023.

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

August 11th, 2023

Most Reverend
Larry Richard Silva
Bishop of Honolulu
1184 Bishop Street, HONOLULU, HI- 96813-2859

Your Excellency:

In the temporary absence of Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio, I am asked to convey to you the following message signed by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis, who expresses his personal closeness to you and to the people affected by the terrible consequences of the ongoing wildfire on the Island of Maui.

THE MOST REVEREND LARRY SILVA BISHOP OF HONOLULU

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE LOSS OF LIFE AND THE DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY THE WILDFIRES ON THE HAWAIIAN ISLAND OF MAUI, AND HE EXPRESSES HIS SOLIDARITY WITH ALL THOSE SUFFERING FROM THIS TRAGEDY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHOSE LOVED ONES HAVE DIED OR ARE MISSING. HIS HOLINESS ALSO OFFERS THE ASSURANCE OF PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD, INJURED AND DISPLACED, AS WELL AS FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL. AS A SIGN OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS THE HOLY FATHER WILLINGLY INVOKES UPON ALL THE PEOPLE OF MAUI ALMIGHTY GOD'S BLESSINGS OF STRENGTH AND PEACE.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE

Your Excellency may wish to share a copy of the message with local authorities, as a sign of the Pope's closeness.

Offering my personal prayers for the victims as well as for all who generously provide first aid and assistance, with kind regards, I remain

Respectfully yours,
Msgr. Séamus P. Horgan
Charged'affaires a.i.

View the full letter HERE.