BY GERARD NAVAL

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and Vatican City mourned the tragedy that befell MV Princess of the Stars on Saturday due to typhoon "Frank."

In a one-page statement, CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said: "The destruction of typhoon Frank was unprecedented and unexpected. The typhoon that battered a large part of the country has left behind stories of lost lives, destroyed private properties and damaged public utilities and parks."

Lagdameo urged the national government to exert all efforts to help the victims, saying these should be prioritized over expensive overseas trips.

"In the face of the exaggerated and expensive trip of more than 60 of our national leadership to the United States for more than a week, how can we talk of austerity and frugality in spending the people's taxes, knowing for whom they must be urgently applied in times of great calamity?" the prelate said. "We would be embarrassed to pray to God to solve our problems and perform miracles for us when we fail to do what lies in our power to do."

Last Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI said he was deeply saddened.

"I wish to raise a special prayer for the victims of this new tragedy of the seas, in which it appears many children are involved," the Pontiff told visiting pilgrims at St. Peter's Square.

The Pontiff also offered his prayers for other victims of the typhoon.

"I wish to assure my spiritual closeness to those killed, injured or rendered homeless by the typhoon," the Pontiff added.

Lagdameo lauded the public and other organizations which immediately sent their help to victims of the calamity, describing these as "communal action at work."

In a radio interview, Sister Rosanne Mallillin, executive secretary of the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa), called on the faithful to send help to those affected by the typhoon.

"I would call on all generous people, lalo na siguro dito sa Maynila, who can afford because eventually in the next three days dadagsa na ang specific request," Mallillin said over Church-run Radio Veritas.

The CBCP-Nassa head office has reported that offers are now flooding their offices ranging from food, clothing, drinking water and over-the-counter medicines.

Mallillin said their relief efforts will be concentrated in far-flung areas not normally reached by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

She said that in the Archdiocese of Jaro (Iloilo) alone, P300,000 has been set aside for relief efforts.