Papal Representative Visits, Prays, Sees Devastation Firsthand

Posted: 22nd May 2008

BANGKOK(UCAN) -- The apostolic delegate to Myanmar, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, visited Yangon and nearby areas affected by Cyclone Nargis on May 8, according to the Apostolic Nunciature in Bangkok.

The papal representative visited the former Myanmar capital and neighboring areas seriously affected by the May 3 cyclone, a spokesperson told UCA News on May 12.

Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon informed the visiting Bangkok-based Church diplomat that the losses claimed by the cyclone are enormous, with the death toll anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000, and at least 200,000 people are missing including a priest and a nun.

More than 15 villages like Laputta, which the nuncio visited in the Irrawaddy Delta region, simply disappeared, and many Catholic villages suffered serious damage. About 70 percent of the trees in Yangon were uprooted. All churches, priests' houses and convents have been damaged, Archbishop Bo told the visiting prelate.

The Church in Myanmar has appealed for international aid. Through the newly formed Myanmar Disaster Relief Committee (MDRC), under the leadership of Yangon archdiocese, it has begun offering food, clothing, shelter materials and medicine to the affected people.

The greatest destruction occurred in the area of Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, and the Irrawaddy delta region to the southwest, covered by Pathein diocese.

Prior to his exposure visit to areas in and outside Yangon, Archbishop Pennacchio offered Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in the former capital for the victims of the disaster, together with Archbishop Bo and Auxiliary Bishop Justin Saw Min Thide of Yangon. Bishop Raymond Pa Ray of Mawlamyine, whose diocese covers coastal areas southeast of Yangon, Bishop Philip Za Hawng of Lashio, whose northeastern diocese the cyclone did not hit, and retired Bishop Mahn Erie of Pathein joined them.

Another 56 priests also concelebrated the Mass, for a congregation of about 1,000 laypeople and 100 priests and Religious.

The apostolic delegate read a message from Pope Benedict XVI expressing sympathy, solidarity and prayers for the cyclone victims and survivors, and for all the people of Myanmar.

Archbishop Bo, speaking on behalf of the congregation and the people of the country, expressed gratitude to the pope and the visiting apostolic delegate for the messages of consolation.

Archbishop Pennacchio is apostolic nuncio to Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore, and apostolic delegate to Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos and Brunei.

Meanwhile, in a general message sent on Archbishop Bo's behalf by his secretary, Father Ignatius Nyan Htoo, the Yangon archbishop expressed his thanks for all the concern and efforts to assist the affected people.

"All your prayers, concerns and desire to be of help for our people are deeply appreciated," he wrote. The archbishop explained that the MDRC, formed "to carry out effectively and quickly the emergency response," comprises the Archdiocese of Yangon, local and international Church partners and New Humanity, a Catholic NGO based in Italy and affiliated with the Focolare Movement.

"We do believe and hope that the good Lord is close to us through all of you especially at this moment of suffering and darkness," Archbishop Bo concluded his message.

Article Source: UCAN