|PIC1|Anglican leaders in Australia have expressed their horror at the devastation caused by wildfires sweeping through parts of Victoria.

In a letter sent out to clergy in his diocese, the Archbishop of state capital Melbourne, Dr Philip Freier, spoke of his sense of disbelief at the “enormity of the devastation” caused by the firestorm.

“We think of those who have lost their lives, those under care in hospitals, of those waiting for news of family and friends, those now homeless and the many still threatened by fire,” he said. “The loss of property, while secondary, is beyond imagination, with homes, businesses and even whole townships destroyed.”

At least 130 people have died and more than 750 homes have been destroyed in the wildfires, branded “mass murder” by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The fires are the worst in Australia’s history and police suspect that at least two in drought-hit eastern Victoria were started deliberately.

Dr Freier added that God was with those suffering as a result of the fires.

“Never forget that God is with us in our grief, our pain and our despair,” he said.

“Our hearts go out to all affected, now and in the coming weeks, and we pray that in the midst of the blackness and grief, God’s healing presence will sustain those caught up in the firefighting, the recovery, the identification, all emergency services personnel – from front line firefighters to the police, paramedics, ambulance and medical staff, volunteers, aid agencies and chaplains - all of whom give so courageously and self sacrificially.”

Dr Freier said Anglican clergy, parishes and agencies across the state of Victoria were being mobilised to help, while the Archbishop of Sydney Dr Peter Jensen has sent out an urgent appeal to churches to pray and offer practical help to victims.

“The scale of the tragedy is horrifying. When part of our community suffers, all suffer with them,” said Dr Jensen in a statement. “We need to be generous in care, gifts and prayer in order to express our oneness with those in grief.”