YANGON (UCAN): Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of Pathein, succumbed to the Covid-19 coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] and died on July 22. He was 67-years-old. A funeral service was held with limited attendance under Covid-19 regulations the same afternoon.
Bishop Hgyi had been unwell since July 16 and had been self-isolating in his room, according to Church officials.
“He also suffered from diabetes and had a low oxygen level last night [July 21] and the clergy tried to give medication through the help of doctors. But he passed away around 6.15am today,” Father Henry Eikhlein, social-pastoral programme director of the Diocese of Pathein, said on July 22.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar [CBCM] said it was deeply moved with sorrow by the sudden passing of Bishop Hsane Hgyi.
“He was really a good shepherd leading many Catholics of Myanmar to moral support and spiritual strength in this time of crisis,” it said in a statement signed by president, Charles Cardinal Bo, and general secretary Bishop John Saw Yaw Han.
The Good Shepherd Sisters in Myanmar said the late bishop always set a good example.
“His death comes amid the prevailing injustice and lack of peace, so we ask you to pray to the Lord for justice and peace in the country,” the sisters said.
Bishop Hgyi frequently reminded people about Covid-19 prevention and urged them to focus on raising awareness about the deadly virus.
“We need to do prevention as there is no proper healthcare service and a lack of volunteers and healthcare workers at quarantine centres. The rate of infections is rising and the death toll has risen, so we must be very careful about the danger of the virus,” he said in early June.
The bishop was one of the most active Internet users among Church leaders in Myanmar and he used it to provide spiritual nourishment through daily Masses, prayers, sermons and novenas.
Bishop Hgyi was born on 15 December 1953. He was ordained a priest on 7 March 1982, and appointed auxiliary bishop of Pathein on 22 March 2003. He was installed as bishop on 24 August 2003.
The late bishop was the incumbent vice-president of the CBCM and chairperson of the Episcopal Commission for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue.
Six priests and a nun died of Covid-19 in Myanmar in June and July, while several priests have contracted the virus.
Myanmar is facing a worsening third wave amid a lack of oxygen and overwhelmed hospitals following mismanagement by the junta that took power in a February 1 coup.
