2023-08-19 05:32:24
At the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, which survived the wildfires in Hawaii, Fr. Kuriakos Natuparampil. Trees destroyed by forest fires can be seen all around.
Hawaii: The survival of the Catholic Church in Hawaii, which stood with spiritual light in the face of the engulfing fireball, is becoming a miracle. The 177-year-old Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina was described as a miracle by the believers and the world media, despite the wildfires that burned most of the Hawaiian Islands.
A native of Pathanamthitta and a member of the Missionaries of Faith Congregation, Fr. The Parish Vicar is in Kuriakos Naduparam. Even though all the buildings around the church were destroyed by fire, the fact that the church remained intact as a symbol of hope is a relief to the local believers.
Lanakila Catholic Church following the fire
The wildfires spread in Lahaina and Maui, famous for tourism. Maui County officials have confirmed that the bodies of 106 people have been recovered from the largest wildfire the United States has seen in a century. The death toll is expected to rise as the search continues. About 1,300 people are missing. Tens of thousands of people were relocated.
The survival of the Maria Lanakila Catholic Church named following Our Lady of Victory in the devastating forest fire has already received a lot of attention in the global media. The church is located in the town of Lahaina, which was largely destroyed by fire. It has less than 13,000 residents. The latest images from the area following the wildfires are extinguished show the church and its attached mosque standing safely amid charred buildings and vegetation.
Parish vicar and Malayali Fr. Kuriakos shared with the media the testimony of the miraculous escape of the church building from the fire. Kollamula in Pathanamthitta Fr. Homeland of Kuriakos.
After the fire, Fr. The Hawaii Catholic Herald, the diocesan newspaper, reported that Kuriakos entered the church with a police escort. He informed that even the flowers in the church have not withered or burnt. There was only a dust of ashes on the pedestals. Meanwhile, the Sacred Heart School and Convent, not far from the Catholic Church, suffered significant damage to houses and fire and strong winds.
“We thank God for this blessing,” Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva said. Bishop Silva added that the church cannot be used until the area is cleaned.
Established in 1846, the present building of the church was built in 1873. There are reports that only the wooden roof of the church was slightly damaged in the fire.
“It’s a miracle for us,” said Monsignor Terence Watanabe Honolulu, vicar of Maui and Lanai. More information and whether there is any damage will be known only following consultation. Watanabe, who is also vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Wailuku, revealed that prima facie the church appears to be undamaged.
Catholic Charities of Hawaii said in a statement that they are praying for those affected by the wildfires on the island of Maui and are working diligently to provide relief supplies, including essential items.
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