SW News: Catholic bishops in the United States have urged people to pray for the victims of the devastating tornadoes in central and southern states as well as their families.

After tornadoes ripped through multiple states in the central and southern states on Friday night and Saturday morning, killing at least 80 and flattening buildings, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued a statement expressing grief over the calamity and calling for prayers for those affected and those who are grieving the loss of the loved ones.

Entrusting them to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the prelates said, “May those who have been impacted by these storms find peace, comfort, and hope in our faith and in God’s endless love. We also pray for the emergency responders and those who have begun the work of providing for the needs of the impacted in these communities in the recovery efforts.”

At least 80 people are estimated to have been killed as tornadoes ripped across central and southern states. More than 70 people have died in Kentucky, according to the governor, in what is being considered the country's biggest disaster in recent years. Countless buildings have been flattened or seriously damaged and power lines have been snapped depriving thousands of households and businesses of electricity.