MANDALAY (UCAN): Charles Cardinal Maung Bo of Yangon, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, appealed to bishops in Asia to entrust all victims of the Wuhan coronavirus (Novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV) and people across the globe to Our Lady of Lourdes, whose feast day was on February 11.
“At this critical juncture, I would like to be close to and pray for my brothers and sisters who are sick because of this virus that has spread through China and the world over,” Cardinal Bo said in a letter on February 8.
“May the Lord welcome the dead into his peace, comfort families and sustain the great commitment by the Chinese government that has already been put in place to combat the epidemic,” the cardinal wrote. He asked prayers for the intercession of Our Blessed Mother that a global epidemic might be prevented.
“We shall fervently ask for her maternal protection to stop the rapid spread of this deadly virus and give hope and courage and lay her miraculous healing hands upon them,” Cardinal Bo said,
The 72-year-old cardinal added: “May Mother Mary, who stood by the cross of her dying son Jesus, be the pillar of strength and beacon of hope to the health workers who risk their lives to save the lives of their sick brothers and sisters.”
The death toll as of February 12 stood at over 1,115—mostly in China, however, 4,740 people had recovered.
