Catholic churches and schools still safe from B.C. wildfires: bishop

VANCOUVER— Despite an estimated 900,000 hectares of land being burned in the largest wildfire ever recorded in B.C. history, Catholic institutions have sustained little damage so far.  

Bishop Joseph Nguyen of Kamloops said since the fire emergency began, only one rectory in Cache Creek was seriously damaged due to a broken water pipe.

“Fortunately, Catholic churches and schools are safe,” he said, adding his heart goes out to the thousands of people who have been evacuated or whose homes have burned down.

“One community, Boston Flats, just south of Cache Creek, was totally destroyed,” he said. At press time, about 4,400 people were still affected by evacuation orders.

“Though the diocesan facilities are okay, many people lost their homes. As a Church, we do whatever we can possibly do to help people to get back on their feet.”

With a diocese stretching from Whistler and Merritt in the south to Quesnel and Valemount in the north, the recently appointed bishop has seen most of the inferno affect his territory.

In July, Bishop Nguyen penned a letter urging all of the faithful to pray for the safety of firefighters, relief teams, and evacuees, as well as to find ways to get involved by volunteering or donating food, money, or shelter.

He also instructed priests to secure church files and historic documents in case of evacuation, and said he was concerned for the spiritual lives of those fleeing fire: “The people are away, and they have no sacraments or support” during this stressful time.

The neighbouring diocese to the south, the Archdiocese of Vancouver, held a special collection Aug. 12-13 to support the Diocese of Kamloops. So far, $44,452 has been counted.

The Diocese of Prince George to the north of Kamloops has also encouraged its members to donate, volunteer, and stay informed about the ever-changing wildfire emergency.