Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC

[ENS] Providing a vivid picture of the level of mental and physical devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Bishop George E. Packard delivered the sixth annual Hobart Lecture held on September 12 at the Diocese of New York's Synod House.

"The Episcopal Church's bishop suffragan for chaplaincies, including those supporting the Armed Services - had just returned from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after surveying the damaged areas, and speaking with several chaplains and evacuees. "These conditions were worse than what I've seen in Baghdad," he said.

"When I got off the plane in Baton Rouge a week and a half ago, I thought of humility because they have nothing and because of the persistent dampness left over from the hurricane you could smell the earth," Packard said. "So those two experiences work at you."

Packard identified there being "four levels of trauma at work here: first, a flight from water and wind; second, transfer to an evacuation center; third, travel from the center - one woman died on the roof, others grabbed for food and then at each other; fourth, a connection with the final, temporary home. Think of what effect all these cycles have on vulnerable populations like the frail elderly, the sick, those in poverty and children."

Packard told the story of a young girl who, left alone and separated from her parents during the disaster, went to a hospital across from her Episcopal parish church seeking help. Packard said she was given refuge in a hallway filled with dead bodies. He said the girl ran away and cared for herself until she found her way to St. Luke's Church, Baton Rouge, where she found support and comfort.

According to Packard, when "Katrina came ashore and walloped the Mississippi Gulf then receded," the hurricane hit Louisiana in the "low-lying areas even beyond New Orleans and caused evacuation, prolonged suffering and delayed recovery all because of standing water." He said Louisiana Bishop Charles Jenkins "has had to start from scratch."

Packard also spoke about the "unique population of priests who deploy from among us" executing their duties in extreme situations, devoid of the tools of their ministry, and how he has urged them "to think of themselves as ministry portable...carrying a presence with them."

"We're sending teams of two down to make inspections in the Gulf Coast and we're going to be sending follow-up teams after them," Packard explained after the lecture. He said the type of work they do is for "critical stress that shows itself three weeks to a month after the event."

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