LCC president calls for prayers after Chilean quake

Debris lies on the coast close to the epicentre of an earthquake that generated waves flooding many towns to the north and south, in Pelluhue. (ACT Alliance website)

WINNIPEG — The president of Lutheran Church-Canada is asking members to include citizens of Chile in their prayers after an earthquake struck the South American country February 27.

Rev. Robert Bugbee, LCC president, said he hopes to learn in the coming days how Canadians can direct their gifts to members of a small partner church, Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile (CLCC).

“In the meantime, name these people and this land before God in your prayers, that the injured may be rescued, the grieving comforted, and those who give care strengthened for their work,” said Bugbee.

The magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck off the country’s northwest coast, and by Monday had already claimed more than 700 lives.

Some news agencies reported the earthquake affected nearly two-million people.

Rev. Carlos Schumann, CLCC president, said members of his church got through the earthquake without suffering any serious damage.

“Our houses, church and schools buildings didn’t suffer serious damages,” he said. “But it is still shaking and will be so for some days.”

Schumann said the church will spend the early part of this week planning spiritual and material help for those affected.

On February 28, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs reported that 5,000 Canadians live in Chile, and of those about 1,000 live in the affected area.

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