Pope Francis has offered prayers for the people of Myanmar, who have been “suffering so much because of the earthquake”. Source: Crux.
The 7.7 earthquake on Friday killed at least 1600 people in Myanmar and 18 in neighbouring Thailand.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, issued a statement saying the Church “joins our country’s men and women in solidarity as they face yet another crisis”.
“This tragic event has further exacerbated the profound multi-dimensional humanitarian crisis already gripping Myanmar, where, as per the UN estimate, nearly 20 million people, including 6.3 million children, are in dire need of assistance,” the cardinal says.
“The Catholic Church affirms its unwavering support for the affected people and sends out condolences to families that lost their dear ones. We especially pray for those who perished in the places of worship in pagodas and mosques,” he said.
On Friday, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Francis was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread devastation” caused by the earthquake.
“His Holiness Pope Francis offers heartfelt prayers for the souls of the deceased and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all affected by this tragedy,” his statement says.
“His Holiness likewise prays that the emergency personnel will be sustained in their care of the injured and displaced by the divine gifts of fortitude and perseverance.”
In his statement, Bo said the Church in Myanmar was “deeply touched” by this message.
Caritas Australia has launched an appeal for Myanmar. Visit www.caritas.org.au/myanmar.
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Church leaders pray for victims of earthquake in Myanmar (By Nirmala Carvaalho, Crux)
