Pastoral Action by Diaspora Puerto Ricans Post Hurricane Maria: An Introduction to Writings by Elieser Valentin, Altagracia Pérez-Bullard, and Damaris Whittaker
by Efrain Agosto
On September 20, 2017, a devastating hurricane, known as Hurricane Maria, made landfall on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, leaving behind unimaginable destruction. This just two weeks to the day after a previous hurricane (Irma, September 6) had missed a direct hit, although significant portions of the island also lost power and experienced damage in that initial event. For days after Maria, however, Puerto Ricans residing on the United States mainland could not hear from or about what had happened on their beloved island from their family members and loved ones. Whether one was born there or one’s parents left the island for New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Florida decades before, Puerto Ricans in the “diaspora” love our island, and we were devastated by the news of destruction from this hurricane: the loss of power, the lack of resources (including clean water), the incredible heat, diminished health care services, government ineffectiveness, loss of life, and more. It was all so surreal, worrisome and heartache-inducing, especially the silence from our loved ones because means of communication were down. What were we to do?
Once the lines of communication opened and the extreme devastation was clear, it became evident that stranded Puerto Ricans were springing into action—private citizens and local organizations more than island-wide or government services. We will never forget the image of the U.S. president throwing paper towels into the air when he finally visited, as if that were solving the intractable problems facing Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. However, where government resources failed, at least initially, ordinary Puerto Ricans responded, including many back in the States.
In the three essays you are about to read in this special section of the Migration issue of The Living Pulpit, you will learn from three thoughtful, activist Puerto Rican pastors from New York City who responded and did so from a theological and pastoral posture of social justice and sheer compassion for what it means to be Puerto Rican, aunque vivimos en la luna (“even if we live on the moon,” from a popular anthem of the Puerto Rican diaspora by the great Puerto Rican folk singer, Roy Brown: “Soy puertoriqueño aunque viva en la luna”—“I am Puerto Rican Even If I Live on the Moon”).
Rev. Elieser Valentin, who led his Latinx congregation on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in organizing collections for recovery efforts on the island, explains the “pastoral theology” needed for such action. The Canon Dr. Altagracia Pérez-Bullard discusses the kinds of “religious practices”—sacred actions, posadas, parades and prayer vigils—that diaspora communities in the States organize to call for just action on behalf of beleaguered communities, like those in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. And the Rev. Dr. Damaris DeLeon Whittaker describes how she organized her church community in New York City, not only the one she pastors—Fort Washington Collegiate Church in Upper Manhattan—but also sister Collegiate churches, in fund-raising and on-the-ground recovery efforts that are ongoing and consistent. Such efforts included creating a non-profit organization in one of the hardest-hit communities of the island.
These direct, timely, and persistent relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts by Puerto Rican pastoral agents in the diaspora community are inspiring and instructive for every pastor, preacher, and parishioner who considers appropriate faith responses when disaster calls for immediate action. Read on, friend, and see pastoral theology, social justice, and compassion in action!
