Archbishop of Sydney's Chile Earthquake Appeal

A magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit Chile at 3.35am local time on Saturday 27 February. Within two and a half hours of the earthquake 11 aftershocks were recorded. Five of these registered 6.0 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was 325 km southwest of the capital in the moderately populated region of Bio-Bio in central Chile.

The death toll is over 800 and countrywide about 1.5 million Chileans were affected and 500,000 homes severely damaged.

Our diocese has very close connections with the Diocese of Chile through our CMS Missionaries, Chileans who have studied at Moore College, and with the Chilean Diocesan Leadership.

Archbishop Jensen has been monitoring the situation with the Primate of the Province, Archbishop Greg Venables, and the Bishop of Chile, Tito Zavala and has launched an appeal to assist those affected by the earthquake.

Now is the time to help, and give generously to the Archbishop of Sydney’s ‘Relief to Victims in Chile’ Appeal. Your gift to The Archbishop’s Overseas Relief and Aid Fund (ORAF) will enable the Bishop of Chile to provide ongoing assistance to those hardest hit and in greatest need. Donations can be made through the website www.abau.org.au/donations or on 1800 653 903.