Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk of Seoul has asked his parish priests to hold a second collection during Sunday Mass on Sep. 5 to raise money for urgent flood relief.

As well as the floods that have devastated Pakistan recently, North Korea was hit by torrential rains on Aug. 24 that submerged houses and farmland, affecting around 5,000 people.

"Raising the funds is our way of giving a warm helping hand to the victims in North Korea and Pakistan, showing brotherly love in Christ," he said in a letter to priests.

Seoul archdiocese has already sent US$30,000 to help Caritas Pakistan’s relief effort.

Bishop Peter Kang U-il of Cheju president of the local bishops’ conference, has also sent a letter to ordinaries, asking for their support and suggesting a way in which they can respond quickly.

"In order to give help promptly, it would be good if each diocese could send money from their diocesan fund to the bishops’ conference by Aug. 31," he said, “then collect money later to put back in the fund."

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Seoul archdiocese to send relief to Pakistan
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