Filipino Archbishop Urges Catholics to Open Homes to Typhoon Survivors

As Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, swept through the Philippines, leaving widespread destruction and loss of life, Archbishop Alberto S. Uy of Cebu has called on Catholics to open their doors to those left homeless by the storm.

The powerful typhoon, the 20th to strike the Philippines this season, has claimed more than 90 lives and caused severe flooding across the central region. Cebu, one of the hardest-hit provinces, has seen several municipalities submerged, with homes, streets, and key infrastructure damaged or destroyed. Civil authorities reported that more than 400,000 people have been displaced as a precaution, many now seeking temporary refuge. The national weather bureau described the rainfall brought by Typhoon Tino as “unprecedented” in both volume and duration.

In the face of such devastation, the Catholic Church has once again stepped forward to offer comfort and assistance. Archbishop Uy urged parishes, communities, and religious institutions to transform their spaces into shelters and centers of compassion. “Our homes, churches, and schools must now become places of refuge,” he said. “Disasters such as this reflect what we have done, or failed to do, for our common home.”

The Archbishop emphasized that nature’s fury serves as both a warning and an invitation. “God speaks through the wind and the water,” he reflected. “He calls us to rediscover our role as stewards of creation, not its exploiters.” He expressed hope that the destruction caused by the typhoon would awaken in the faithful a deeper ecological and moral conversion, one that unites care for the planet with faith and love for one another.

Cebu’s suffering has been compounded by recent tragedies. Only weeks ago, the region was struck by a powerful earthquake that killed more than 70 people and displaced over 20,000. Many churches, schools, and heritage structures were badly damaged. In response, the Archdiocese of Cebu launched the Give Hope initiative to coordinate emergency aid and rebuilding efforts.

Now, in the wake of Typhoon Tino, the same initiative is being relaunched to provide food, shelter, and psychological support to affected families. Volunteers and religious groups across the country have begun mobilizing resources, distributing relief goods, and offering spiritual assistance.

The Archbishop’s message echoes Pope Leo XIV’s frequent appeals for ecological responsibility and solidarity with those who suffer the most from the effects of climate change. “Every storm tests not only our infrastructure but our faith and humanity,” Archbishop Uy said. “In these times, our generosity becomes the truest expression of the Gospel.”