This Lenten series features a different person each week. Nothing in particular connects these people, other than my desire to ask them a few questions. They may not be the questions you would have asked, but I hope you might appreciate their answers nonetheless. TL
Bishop Thomas Rodi is the
bishop of the
Diocese of Biloxi, Miss. He is originally from New Orleans. These
have obviously been challenging months for Bishop Rodi and his people in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Students traveling to Biloxi to assist with
recovery efforts had an opportunity to meet with Bishop Rodi and hear, first
hand, his assessment of the situation and his great hope for the people of
his diocese and their future.
Bishop
Thomas Rodi
Can you describe where you were during the hurricane and what you
remember most of that experience?
I remained at my office during the storm. The howling of the wind and
the power of nature was indescribable. I watched as over 40 of our trees
fell and as the shingles of our roof blew away. The rain came through the
roof causing most of the ceilings in our diocesan building to collapse and
the floors to flood, but the building held. It was a mess, but our
building was opened the next day with a few workers. For days we had no
electricity, phones, email, water, sewerage, etc. But we were a
place of communication where people could leave notes for others letting
them know they were alive and where they were staying.
What did you see as your role in the recovery process?
My role has been two-fold. One is to visit the parishes and celebrate
our faith as the family of God in the midst of all this struggle and loss.
We have 56 churches. I have visited almost all and celebrated Sunday Mass
and am scheduled to visit the remaining in the next few weeks. The second
role is to coordinate the plan for rebuilding and working with our
insurers. This is a challenging task but very important for the future of
our diocese.
What has been the most overwhelming or difficult aspect of these past
few months?
The most painful has been to speak with people who have lost homes,
jobs, and most tragically, loved ones. The most challenging has been to
formulate a plan as to which schools and churches will be rebuilt. We are
called by the Lord to be good stewards in using our blessings. It is
important to carefully decide where we will rebuild for the future
pastoral needs of our people. The most rewarding has been to see the
outreach to those in need. Since Katrina we have hired 12 full time staff
to work with people to obtain needed assistance. We have gutted over 300
houses with volunteer labor (we have a list of over 600 homes yet to be
gutted.) We have distributed over $1.5 million in direct aid. All of this
is just a drop in the bucket of what needs to be done, but it is a great
help to many.
How would you assess the atmosphere among people whose lives, as has
been noted, were turned completely upside down?
The spirit of determination among our people is amazing. So much
progress has already been made, but it is only the first step of recovery.
The recovery will take years. About 65,000 homes are destroyed; another
38,000 have suffered major damage; 1,900 businesses are gone. It will take
immense effort to rebuild. But with neighbor helping neighbor, the support
of people from around our nation and world, and the help of God, we know
we will rebuild. I can-not adequately express in words how important it is
to know that people, like your parishioners, care about us.
How has this ordeal affected the faith and spirit of your people?
One of the many blessings which has come of this devastating
catastrophe is spiritual growth in many people. Personal loss of this
magnitude challenges us to reflect upon our beliefs and our trust in the
love of God. It causes us to reflect upon what is truly important to us.
It is often in times of struggle that God can draw us closer to His love
and deeper into faith.