Faith in the Face of Disaster: UU Response to Hurricane Katrina

Statement from the Canadian Unitarian Council/conseil unitarien du Canada

September 9, 2005

Unitarians and Universalists across Canada have been shocked and saddened by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina on our neighbours in the southern United States. The power of nature unleashed anywhere in the world is always deeply moving and frightening experience. But witnessing the deaths of thousands here in North America brings the human tragedy very close to home.

The Board and Staff of the Canadian Unitarian Council join with UUs across our nation and with all Canadians in extending our deepest condolences to all affected by the hurricane and its aftermath. You are in our thoughts and prayers and you struggle with your many challenges. We are proud that our government has been quick to offer all possible assistance and proud to join with the millions of Canadians who have found ways to contribute to relief efforts. We are also proud of those Canadian congregations who have helped raise relief money. Any wishing to join in the substantial fundraising efforts spearheaded by the UUA to restore UU ministries and congregations in the American south can do so through the CUC web site (www.cuc.ca).

Disaster on such a grand scale always provokes strong emotions and sympathies. It also leads to reflection by those who are safe and warm. Already Katrina has taught many hard lessons:

The myth of human invincibility has been blown away in the gale. We are reminded that we are but puny beings before the elemental forces of rain and wind, of fire and earth. We cannot dominate the Earth, but must live lightly and respectfully as part of a web of creation.

We are sobered by the failings of politics in our democratic system. In New Orleans the continuing deferral of needed levee improvement projects contributed substantially to the level of destruction of life and property. While we can lament, we cannot point fingers. There are few jurisdictions on our continent where long term funding supports all necessary infrastructure improvements. The right words are being spoken today, but it is hard to believe that governments will be allowed to spend enough to ensure the safety of human life.

We are deeply troubled by the news pictures that show ill served and too long ignored victims struggling for the bare necessities of life. We are further troubled to see that virtually all of these faces are Black. We cannot help but wonder how institutionalized racism affected relief efforts that have proved to be inadequate. But for now, there are only two things we Canadian Unitarians and Universalists can do:

First, we can pray or hold in our thoughts the thousands who have died and the millions struggling to rebuild shattered lives and dreams. Their need is great and the road ahead is long. There but by the grace of Nature’s whim go we.

Second, we can share our abundance with our American friends and fellow UU’s who are in need. I urge you to join me in contributing to relief efforts as generously as you can.

Rev. Brian J. Kiely
President
Canadian Unitarian Council/conseil unitarien du Canada

Faith in the Face of Disaster: UU Response to Hurricane Katrina

• In the Eye of the Storm: Resources and Commentary following Hurricane Katrina

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