A second collection by parishes in the Archdiocese of Louisville Dec. 18 and 19 raised more than $342,900 for tornado relief in the Diocese of Owensboro, Ky. The donations were being forwarded to Catholic Charities of Owensboro.
In addition, another $29,980 was donated to Catholic Charities of Louisville, which also was being forwarded to its counterpart in western Kentucky.
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz had asked Catholics in the Archdiocese of Louisville to help the Diocese of Owensboro after tornadoes wreaked havoc on small towns in western Kentucky. The storms’ death toll stands at 77, according to the office of the governor.
In calling for the collection, Archbishop Kurtz said donations will be used to “respond to immediate emergency humanitarian needs and will aid in long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts, as well as in any pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church.”