Australian church leaders express horror over fire devastation

Anglican leaders in Australia have expressed their horror at the devastation caused by wildfires sweeping through parts of Victoria.

In a letter sent out to clergy in his diocese, the Archbishop of state capital Melbourne, Dr Philip Freier, spoke of his sense of disbelief at the “enormity of the devastation” caused by the firestorm.

“We think of those who have lost their lives, those under care in hospitals, of those waiting for news of family and friends, those now homeless and the many still threatened by fire,” he said. “The loss of property, while secondary, is beyond imagination, with homes, businesses and even whole townships destroyed.”

At least 130 people have died and more than 750 homes have been destroyed in the wildfires, branded “mass murder” by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Judd.

The fires are the worst in Australia’s history and police suspect that at least two in drought-hit eastern Victoria were started deliberately.

Dr Freier added that God was with those suffering as a result of the fires.

“Never forget that God is with us in our grief, our pain and our despair,” he said.

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/australian.church.leaders.express.horror.over.fire.devastation/22473.htm