Puerto Rico desperately needs rebuilding aid

As Congress considers recovery and relief packages for hurricane-hit Puerto Rico, the island's Archbishop and national religious groups are holding a vigil in a Congressional office building on Wednesday.

"Puerto Rico needs a Congress that is sensitive to the pain of the people of Puerto Rico," noted the Most Reverend Roberto Octavio González Nieves, O F M Archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico. Gonzalez will be the primary presider at the service. "It needs a Congress that respects Puerto Rico's right to reconstruct with dignity," according to Jubilee USA Network statement.

San Juan's Archbishop will be joined at the prayer vigil by a number of major religious groups including: the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the United Church of Christ, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Catholic Charities USA, the Franciscan Action Network, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and Jubilee USA Network.

The various groups will be praying and calling for adequate rebuilding aid, debt relief and financing for healthcare and child benefits on par with what US States receive.

"Puerto Rico desperately needs adequate rebuilding aid so its power grid and infrastructure is strong enough to withstand the next storm," noted Eric LeCompte of the religious development group that is organising the event, Jubilee USA Network. "Puerto Rico needs debt relief and equal access to Medicare, Medicaid and child tax benefit funding."

The event will be held at noon on December 20 from noon-1 pm in room 121 of Congress' Cannon House Office Building.