Texas: In the shadow of one of Texas’s most devastating natural disasters in recent memory, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio has stepped forward with a message of solidarity, hope, and compassion as the death toll from the central Texas floods reached 82, with 41 individuals still missing.
The catastrophe unfolded in the early hours of July 4, when the Guadalupe River, swollen by relentless rainfall, surged over eight meters in just 45 minutes, catching hundreds of campers and vacationers off-guard. Mobile homes, tents, and summer campsites were swept away in the deluge, particularly affecting a Christian Girls Camp, where ten lives including those of young campers and their counsellor were lost.
Among the victims are at least 28 children, and the number is expected to grow as search-and-rescue operations continue in Kerrville and surrounding areas. Governor Greg Abbott has pledged that emergency efforts will persist "until every person is located and accounted for." President Donald Trump has signed an emergency declaration, enabling FEMA to intensify federal assistance.
As the waters recede, the human toll is only beginning to surface, and amid the anguish, faith communities are emerging as anchors of strength. One such place is Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerrville, which has become a beacon of refuge for displaced families. Archbishop García-Siller visited the church soon after the tragedy, offering pastoral care, prayers, and comfort to those who had lost everything.
“There were so many young parents heartbroken, in shock,” the Archbishop told OSV News. “People were arriving from all over Houston, Austin, even neighboring states. This isn’t just a crisis for our Archdiocese. It’s a human tragedy that’s touching many regions.”
The Archdiocese of San Antonio, in collaboration with Catholic Charities USA, has launched a full-scale relief mission, distributing food, clothing, hygiene kits, drinking water, and emergency shelter. Church volunteers are also offering emotional and spiritual support, especially to families who have lost children.
Notre Dame Church is just one of four official care centers designated by the city of Kerrville. Local clergy, lay volunteers, and aid workers are working round-the-clock to receive evacuees, offer crisis counseling, and ensure no one is left behind. “We’re trying to be the face of Christ in this suffering,” a parish volunteer said. “Our doors and hearts are open.”
Even as rescue efforts unfold, the tragedy has reached global ears. On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV, during his Angelus address, paused to offer heartfelt condolences: “I would like to express my sincere sorrow to the families who lost their loved ones especially the girls at summer camp during the disaster caused by the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas. We lift our prayers for them and for all those still awaiting rescue.”
Adding to the urgency, meteorologists have warned of more storms expected within the next 36 hours, prompting additional evacuations and flood alerts across the region. As the tragedy continues to unfold, the Church remains on the frontlines not just as a place of worship but as a shelter of hope and humanity. With prayers rising from Texas to the Vatican, the spirit of unity and compassion stands tall amid the rising waters.