President of U.S. Bishops Conference Calls for Prayers After Deadly Tornado in Cuba

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement regarding a tornado that hit the Cuban capital of Havana and surrounding provinces on Sunday. The tornado has left at least four people dead and dozens more injured.

Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows:

“On behalf of my brother bishops in the United States, I express our profound sadness at the news of a devastating tornado yesterday in Cuba having already taken the lives of four people and injuring over 170. This disaster has caused major damage in Havana and affected the wider provinces of Pinar del Río, Artemisa, and Mayabeque. Many Americans know full well the devastation that tornadoes can inflict. In solidarity, I ask that we pray for the victims and their families, that they may find solace and comfort in their faith and in one another.

As children of the same mother, let us invoke the protection of Our Lady of Charity del Cobre, Patroness of Cuba, that her maternal embrace may fortify the Cuban people’s resolve to emerge from this disaster with their customary resilience and strength.”

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Keywords: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Havana, Cuba, tornado, Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Our Lady of Charity del Cobre, prayer, comfort

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