"Spare a thought and prayer for our brothers and sisters overseas who are scrambling desperately to survive in the face of so much relentless adversity," says WMI director Fr Michael O'Sullivan.

"Expressions of solidarity are important, but they are not enough," says Archbishop of Brisbane in the face of unprecedented disaster.

“We have to equip and train leaders and provide facilities for formation. We want to work towards a situation where all parishes in this Archdiocese benefit from their gifts and expertise. The new collection is one step in that process” – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.