Earthquake in Colombia: "God gives us courage to face the difficult times" - Bishop Assos' "thank you" for the supporttranslated

A message of gratitude on behalf of the Holy Metropolis of Mexico, His Eminence Mr. Jacobus, the clergy and the Metropolitan Region of Colombia and Venezuela was expressed by the Bishop of Assos, Mr. Timotheus, after the wave of solidarity and support from the deadly 7.4 Richter earthquake that "struck" Colombia, leaving behind hundreds dead and wounded.  Rescuers and volunteers continue to search for survivors in the wreckage, with the latest – still preliminary – death toll at 132 dead, 570 injured and dozens of buildings severely damaged or completely destroyed.

The previous official count, announced by the new president of the country, Abelardo de la Espriña, spoke of 111 dead and 87 injured last night, after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck in the morning in Choco, a poor prefecture on the coast of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean.

The earthquake was felt in neighboring countries: Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

The Most Reverend Mr. Timotheus emphasizes that "unfortunately, more than five thousand homes have been destroyed in four different areas".  The Bishop of Assou refers to...