We learned today, in the afternoon of December 10, the sad news that the second floor of the House and Office of St. Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC) in Pasay (Philippines) was burned. It is an old building made of wood and light materials. There is no one hurt in the incident. The cause for the fire is still under investigation by the authorities.
We report below the communication from the Secretary of the Province of St. Matthew and the message of solidarity from Fr. Bruno Rampazzo.
Casa di SHEC a Pasay rasa al suolo dal fuoco
Abbiamo appreso oggi, nel pomeriggio del 10 dicembre, la triste notizia che la casa e l'ufficio al secondo piano del St. Hannibal Empowerment Center di Pasay (Filippine) sono stati bruciati. È un vecchio edificio in legno e materiali leggeri. Non c'è nessuno ferito nell'incidente. La causa dell'incendio è ancora oggetto di indagine da parte delle autorità.
Riportiamo di seguito la comunicazione del Segretario della Provincia San Matteo e il messaggio di solidarietà di p. Bruno Rampazzo.
Dear Confreres,
At around 3:15 pm, our house of the St. Hannibal Empowerment Center, 584A E. Cornejo St., Malibay, Pasay City was razed by fire. The second floor, which is mainly made of light materials, was consumed by fire. Investigation is ongoing in order to determine its cause.
We thank the Lord that our confreres are safe and there are no casualty.
Despite the difficulties that we are experiencing, we hope that God will bring out good from these experiences.
We continue to pray for our confreres.”
Rome, 10 December 2020
Dearest Fr. Orville,
I am so sorry for the news that our house, SHEC, in Cornejo, Pasay, was burned. I hope that nobody was injured . I remember very well how we tried to get that house for the good of the SHEC. I am one with you and I do not have words to express my deep sorrows.I assure my prayer. In this moment it comes to my mind what happened in Avignone quarter at the time of our Founder, when the small chapel was totally burnt. An old woman said: "Father Hannibal will now build a golden chapel". After some years, Father Hannibal was indeed able to build St. Anthony's Shrine, Messina. I understand that what happened put us very down, but I am sure that the Lord will help us to come with something greater than before. This will happen because everything you are doing there is for the good of those in need. Do not worry, the Lord is there and will help to come out.
Everything we can do for you we will do, just let me know.
Dear Fr. Orville, extend my greetings and assure my closeness to Fr. Dexter, Fr. Arlene and Fr. Antonio and to the people of SHEC.
Truly yours. Fr. Bruno Rampazzo
