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Philippines typhoon victims' complex to be named after pope

Race to get building ready for pontiff's January visit
Philippines typhoon victims' complex to be named after pope
Published: June 18, 2014 07:12 AM GMT
Updated: June 17, 2014 08:51 PM GMT

The Archdiocese of Palo in the province of Leyte is building a complex named after Pope Francis for impoverished victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan.

Archbishop John Du of Palo said in an interview on Wednesday that the "Pope Francis Complex Center for the Poor" will provide a home for the elderly, a clinic, orphanage and a chapel.

The archbishop said the center, which will be funded by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, is expected to be finished before Pope Francis visits the country in January.

Vatican officials are expected to visit the country to coordinate the details of the pope's visit.

The government announced on Tuesday that recovery in areas hit by Haiyan was estimated to be at 25 percent.

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson, head of the government's rehabilitation and recovery efforts, said there will be a "massive infusion of resources" in devastated areas before the pope's visit.

"The pope will see a different level [of improvement] depending on the date of his visit," Lacson told a gathering of Church people in Manila yesterday.

Three Catholic bishops earlier called on the government to hasten the release of money intended for typhoon victims.

Bishops Isabelo Abarquez of Calbayog and Crispin Varquez of Borongan described the government rehabilitation efforts as "a little bit slow".

Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila, head of the social action secretariat of the bishops' conference, also urged President Benigno Aquino to work doubly hard to address the plight of typhoon survivors in time for the visit of Pope Francis.

"When Pope Francis comes here, the Philippines will again be put in the global spotlight so we must show to the world that we have already done something or else our country will be put to shame," the bishop said in an interview.

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