Update on Japan by Bishop Thompson

I know that we have all been saddened by the events unfolding in Japan over the past few days. We understand the devastation that water can cause. Our diocese has for many years been a prayer partner with the Japanese Diocese of Tohoku, the one most directly affected by the tsunami of last Friday.

Information has been difficult to obtain but we now know that two parish churches in that diocese have been completely destroyed and many of the parishioners have not yet been found. Christ Church Cathedral in the city of Sendai has been heavily damaged. Over a million people inhabit Sendai. The bishop of Tohoku diocese, The Rt. Rev’d John Hiromichi Kato, is known to many of us and has visited with us here. They generously gave to this diocese in our time of great need, after the destruction caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In an effort to reach out to our friends in Christ, and to assist them with the recovery effort they are mounting from their diocesan offices, we are asking that donations be made to Episcopal Community Services, 1623 Seventh Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 or online at ecsla.org . The money will then be accumulated and sent directly to the Diocese of Tohoku by Episcopal Community Services.