Sunday 8th December
Looking back as objectively as I can on my days in the Philippines I think of four aspects of the trip which immediately come to mind as memorable, for very different reasons.
The sheer courage and resilience of the people seems quite unique, remaining so calm and grateful in suffering and now in recovery? This reaction struck me as quite wonderful. Aid workers with experience of other disaster areas told of aggression, intimidation and the survival of the fittest, especially at relief distribution points, whereas we witnessed only calm and thanks from people who quietly waited in line. True, this was three weeks after the disaster but we were witnessing first distributions to people who might well have demonstrated real frustration; yet did not. This atmosphere made for a sense that the recovery will be full of hope and determination and will gather momentum. What quality allows them, as whole communities, to think in this way? I have to come to the conclusion that it is a deep-rooted, and enviable, religious faith which invites a trust and a hope for the future. It was remarkable that such an emphasis was put on restoring the churches. I would have placed them as a much lesser priority than housing and the restoration of power and water systems, yet I realized that the churches were not only vital meeting places but also a focal point for people's lives, both spiritually and socially. They represent well-being; and so we must be aware that re-building is something that the aid agencies are unlikely to fund, believing rightly or wrongly that such buildings (Palo diocese lost seventy churches) are only of secondary importance.
Secondly, collaboration among the various Caritas agencies seemed to be key value to the success of the relief work. The day-long meeting I attended for representatives of the nine affected dioceses, civic authorities and Caritas agencies demonstrated a united effort to overcome the crisis and it takes place every Monday to check on progress, identify duplication of effort and ensure that no community is left out. This is an effective response of the worldwide Church through the generous response of so many people and spoke very clearly to me of the Gospel in action, something which Pope Francis continually urges.
Then thirdly, the children. Archbishop John of Palo Diocese told of remembering most clearly the terrified screams of the children during the typhoon. To go to a primary school and find five hundred children laughing and playing and settled with determination into their studies, despite their school buildings being in ruins, was very reassuring. What a friendly welcome they gave me. I am sure that some will have nightmares because of what they witnessed, but there does not seem to have been any collective and lasting trauma.
Finally, a short distance from such devastation, things just seemed as normal. Cebu City was busy with shops, restaurants and hotels all full and the roads packed with traffic, whilst almost within commuter distance life had changed drastically, with livelihoods, homes and even life itself lost. It is certainly not the case that people not directly affected do not care. But life has a way of going on. What is important is that we should be aware of what has happened when such events occur and recognise that we have a role in, and responsibility for helping the recovery.
I am sure there was good purpose in making the journey. People who have lost so much should know that they are not forgotten and so many Filipinos in this country needed someone of the Church to represent them and their concerns, since they could not make the journey themselves. And I myself received a gift, in the memories of people's courage, humour and kindness, generosity and determination. At the same time we have to be aware of four million Syrians facing dreadful hardship as refugees, progress in alleviating their suffering hampered because of the continuing violence. There are all too many other places of great need before their peoples can live in peace and dignity, free from poverty. Are we doing enough to help? Sadly not, despite some heroic efforts. That remains the challenge; and it's Pope Francis' challenge to us.
