Melbourne, Australia, Feb 18, 2009 / 21:19 pm
Following the disastrous bush wildfires in Australia, Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart has appointed Fr. Greg Bourke as Bushfire Recovery Chaplain as part of the Church’s “sustained effort” to help victims of the fires.
The Bushfire Recovery Chaplain will be a liaison between state and civil authorities, key Catholic agencies such as the Catholic Education Office (CEO), Centacare Catholic Family Services and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
He will also collaborate with parish priests and pastoral teams in the affected communities, a statement from the Archdiocese of Melbourne reports.
Archbishop Hart said the Catholic Church’s presence in affected communities during the initial crisis and recovery stages will need to go beyond its normal presence.