West Virginia Catholic parishes rally to support communities hit by flash flooding

Bishop Evelio Menjívar-Ayala has charged parishes in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, with carrying out special collections to support disaster relief efforts after severe flash flooding on July 21.

State Treasurer Larry Pack said the deadly flash flooding that swept through Upshur, Lewis, and nearby counties killed at least two people. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said preliminary assessments show about 151 homes in Upshur County suffered damage.

Morrisey, a Catholic Republican who was elected governor in 2024, acknowledged the work of “faith-based organizations” in aiding relief efforts in a July 27 statement .

“Volunteer organizations remain at the heart of the recovery effort,” Morrisey said.

Menjívar-Ayala, who was installed on July 2, asked parishes to hold the collections on Aug. 1–2 or Aug. 8–9. All of the funds collected will remain in West Virginia and will be managed by Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa), a July 22 press release said. CCWVa will direct funds first to parishes aiding families, then to CCWVa regional staff assisting victims, followed by partner agencies, with any remaining money supporting CCWVa’s long‑term recovery…