VATICAN - The Holy Father addresses the Bishops of Myanmar: “May God open the hearts of all so that a concerted effort may be made to facilitate and coordinate the ongoing endeavor to bring relief to the suffering and rebuild the country’s infrastructure.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The particular commitment of the Church in Myanmar to the poor and needy, noteworthy and appreciated, was mentioned by the Holy Father Benedict XVI during an audience held with the Bishops of Myanmar on May 30, upon the occasion of their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit. Recalling the recent Cyclone Nargis that hit the country, the Pope said, “During these difficult days, I know how grateful the Burmese people are for the Church’s efforts to provide shelter, food, water, and medicine to those still in distress. I am hopeful that, following the agreement recently reached on the provision of aid by the international community, all who are ready to help will be able to furnish the type of assistance required and enjoy effective access to the places where it is needed most... May God open the hearts of all so that a concerted effort may be made to facilitate and coordinate the ongoing endeavor to bring relief to the suffering and rebuild the country’s infrastructure.”
Thus, the Pope was pleased to note that, “an increasing number of women are responding to the call to consecrated life” and affirmed that “preparing candidates for this service of prayer and apostolic work requires an investment of time and resources. The formation courses offered by the Catholic Religious Conference of Myanmar attest to the cooperation possible between different religious communities with due respect for the particular charism of each, and point to the need for sound academic, spiritual and human formation.” Similar signs of hope are seen in the rising number of vocations to the priesthood. The Pope then encouraged the Bishops “to continue making the necessary sacrifices to ensure that seminarians receive the integral formation that will enable them to become authentic heralds of the New Evangelization.”
The lay faithful, as well, are also “in need of a robust and dynamic Christian formation which will inspire them to carry the Gospel message to their workplaces, families, and to society at large.” Citing the many new catechetical and spiritual initiatives being carried out by the laity, the Pontiff encouraged the Bishops to remind those entrusted to their care, “to turn continually to the nourishment of the Eucharist through participation in the liturgy and silent contemplation. Effective programs of evangelization and catechesis also require clear planning and organization if they are to achieve the desired end of teaching Christian truth and drawing people into the love of Christ.”
Towards the end of his address, Benedict XVI showed his content at the number of new initiatives being carried out by the Bishops of Myanmar as a result of the First Asian Mission Congress and directed towards Buddhists, encouraging them to “develop ever better relations with Buddhists for the good of your individual communities and of the entire nation.”
At the end of his speech, thanking the Bishops for their faithful ministry even “in the midst of difficult circumstances and setbacks,” Benedict XVI recalled the upcoming inauguration of the “special Jubilee year in honour of Saint Paul.” He said, “Paul exhorts us to keep our gaze fixed on the glory that awaits us so as never to despair in the pain and sufferings of today... I invite you to join Saint Paul in the sure confidence that nothing—neither distress, or persecution, or famine, nor things present, nor things to come—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 2/6/2008)