WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the following statement and call for prayer for those involved in this morning's devastating earthquake off the southern coast of Mexico and Guatemala.   

Full statement follows:

"Our most heartfelt condolences go out to the victims of this morning's catastrophic earthquake, which hit off the coast of southwestern Mexico and Guatemala. As of now, thirty-two people are reported dead, and many have lost their homes in what could be the most powerful earthquake to hit Mexico in a century.

I call on the faithful of this country to pray for the victims and their families, as well as for emergency personnel and rescuers.

The Mexican and Guatemalan people are resilient in their faith and trust in the loving Providence of God, and we commend them to the loving embrace of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who, amidst the sorrows of life, reminds us today as she did five hundred years ago: 'Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the fountain of life?'"