TELEGRAM FOR EARTHQUAKE IN TAIWAN

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano today sent, in the name of the Holy Father, the following telegram to Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi S.J., bishop of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, for the earthquake that struck that country:

"Deeply saddened by the news of the heavy loss of life and injury caused by the earthquake which struck Taiwan this morning, the Holy Father is close to the entire population and asks you to convey his sympathy to all affected by this tragedy. His Holiness commends the victims to Almighty God and invokes upon the injured and homeless abundant divine gifts of comfort, courage and strength. He prays that the Lord will sustain the efforts of all those engaged in rescue efforts, in comforting bereaved families and meeting the urgent needs of all those involved. I join in assuring you of my own prayers."

TGR;EARTHQUAKE TAIWAN;...;SODANO; SHAN KUO-HSI;VIS;19990921;