Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba: "We cannot avoid the winds, but we can make the hurricane more humane."

While Hurricane Melissa reaches winds nearing 300 km/h and threatens a direct impact on Jamaica, the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, Monsignor Dionisio García Ibáñez, sent a message of faith, strength, and unity to the people of eastern Cuba.

The Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba published a message from Archbishop Dionisio García Ibáñez on Facebook this Monday regarding the imminent approach of Hurricane Melissa, which could severely impact the eastern region of the country.

In his message, the prelate urged to “defend human life” and to maintain hope amid fears of the cyclone's strength.

We must listen to the warnings from the Civil Defense, save what we can and protect ourselves, but also prepare ourselves spiritually,” expressed the archbishop, recalling that the Cuban people still vividly remember Hurricane Sandy.

“No podemos evitar los vientos, pero we can make the passage of the hurricane more humane, as long as we support each other,” he emphasized.

Monsignor García emphasized that this moment calls for solidarity and prayer, urging families to seek strength from God and mercy for those who will suffer the consequences of the phenomenon.

"The storms of the world come and go, but the promise of God remains forever," he said, also asking for the intercession of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba, "to accompany her people in the midst of the storm."

The message was disseminated as Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of 295 kilometers per hour, dangerously approaches the southern coast of Jamaica.

The National Hurricane Center of the United States rated the situation as “extremely dangerous” and warned that this is “the last opportunity to protect life.”