MANDALAY (Fides): “The more we suffer, the more we hope in God. Today, our people have hope in God’s mercy, in the certainty of his love,” said Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay, following the devastating magnitude 7.6 earthquake that shook Myanmar on March 28.
“There is a divine message that transcends our human intelligence and understanding. Our only way is to entrust ourselves to his merciful love and reaffirm our hope in God’s plan of salvation,” Archbishop Tin Win said.
The epicentre of earthquake was located near Mandalay, home to some 1.2 million people.
The archbishop counts himself, along with priests of the Curia, among those who now find themselves homeless. Due to structural damage to the cathedral and the bishop’s residence, he has spent nights on the streets for safety reasons, alongside people who are still shocked and frightened, experiencing the plight of the homeless.
“Shortly after the earthquake began,” Archbishop Tin Win recounted, “the priests and religious raised the alarm and brought people to safety in the churches, monasteries, and the seminary.”
He said, “We made sure no one was injured. We encouraged and comforted frightened children and people on the streets. Many sought refuge in the church complexes that are still accessible. With our modest means, we share water, food, and shelter with them while we await further external assistance.”
The archbishop said, “According to initial reports, here in Mandalay alone, over 1,000 people have lost their lives, over 2,200 have been injured, and 200 are missing,” he added that humanitarian aid is struggling to provide the homeless with essentials, namely “drinking water, food, emergency shelter, medicine, and hygiene kits.”
In the Catholic community, families are grieving, and there is damage to churches and pastoral institutions: “The Church of Our Lady Help of Christians in the city of Sagaing, the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in the city of Yamethin, and the Church of Saints Joachim and Anne in the parish of Sint Kaing have collapsed. Of the 40 churches in the diocese, these three were the most severely affected.”
Archbishop Tin Win continued, “Among the others, all have minor or major cracks. About 25 churches are no longer suitable for the safe celebration of services. The intermediate seminary in the city of Mandalay is also severely damaged, and the minor seminary in Pyin Oo Lwin has cracks in its building structure.”
The disaster unites people regardless of ethnicity, faith, or social class. I see how people are supporting one another and showing increasing solidarity and charity toward one another. So many people of good will have put themselves at the service of the victims, that is a beautiful sign
Archbishop Tin Win
However, the tragedy has not extinguished faith, but, according to the archbishop, it has triggered a dynamic of unceasing prayer “while we are at the height of pain between the war, the earthquake, and the grief.” He said, “Even in this terrible chaos, no one feels at the mercy of events: we suffer together, we comfort one another, and we pray together.”
The archbishop said, “I address words of encouragement to the people: Do not be afraid. We are here. The Lord tells us: I will be with you.”
He continued, “The disaster unites people regardless of ethnicity, faith, or social class. I see how people are supporting one another and showing increasing solidarity and charity toward one another. So many people of good will have put themselves at the service of the victims, that is a beautiful sign.”
The greatest refuge is prayer Archbishop Tin Win said, “We pray that the souls of the deceased may be welcomed by the Lord. We pray for the wounded, the weak, and the abandoned, that they may be comforted. We ask God for the strength to be instruments of spiritual and humanitarian aid, instruments of his love for every person. And we ask for peace for our beloved country, wounded by war and earthquakes.”
The archbishop concluded, “It consoles us to see that the entire Church does not abandon us, neither nationally nor universally. Even the pope prays for us and gives us comfort and hope. Easter is just around the corner: we are in God’s hands and will rise with Christ. In the Year of the Jubilee, we renew our hope in Christ. We entrust ourselves to Mary, Mother of God, who protects us from evil, danger, and death.”
