The part of the Mormon Church that oversees the Pacific region has claimed responsibility for causing it to rain in Australia, saying a prayer and fasting event brought life-saving precipitation down on a country where fires have burned 12.35 million acres of land (so far).

The Pacific Area Presidency, made up of an area president and two counselors for the Church of Latter-day Saints, posted yesterday that the “joyous sight” of rain came “a few days after a fast held in Australia.” The group said in its own statement prior to the event that it would “dedicate a portion of their fast to petition the Lord for relief from the bushfires and drought conditions.”

On Sunday at the conclusion of the fast, the Area Presidency wrote a letter published on the Australia Newsroom page that thanked those who participated in the fast. “As this Fast Sunday draws to an end for the Pacific Area we are heartened as an Area Presidency to hear reports of just how many members joined with the Pacific Area Presidency in dedicating a portion of their fast to petition the Lord for relief from the bushfires and drought conditions in Australia,” the letter reads. “We hope you are heartened to learn that Saints from around the world, at their own volition, joined in the fast with you. We thank all who participated for this physical demonstration of their faith in Christ and their love and compassion for their fellow Saints.” Even with the rain, authorities warn that the fires will continue to burn. The weather will turn hot and dry again by the end of the week, according to Sydney News.

Imagine praying in the midst of a natural disaster and then dedicating only a part of that prayer to the emergency right in front of you. And then having the audacity to take credit for the brief relief. And then refusing to acknowledge that the fires have nothing to do with your presumable lack of faith — or God — at all.

Shouldn’t they be blamed for not praying hard enough? Will God keep the bushfires going because the fast is over? (Does anyone there understand how climate change works?)

Clearly not. The group said it would “continue to provide temporal support” to the area, a reference to prayer. Which isn’t actual support for anyone but themselves. It’s just another sign of religious hubris in the face of a real crisis.

Australia needs help. This isn’t it.

(Image via Shutterstock)

