Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – After Cyclone Nargis, during the time of emergency aid rescue work and as people began returning to normal life, “the common religion that united Buddhists, Christians, and faithful of other religions is that of compassion.” This was affirmed in a message sent from Archbishop Charles Maung Bo of Yangon to Agenzia Fides. In a letter sent to Fides, the Archbishop tells of how the Buddhist monks have been working to save lives and help the survivors in Christian villages and how, in turn, Catholic volunteers have brought in aid, food, and medicines to the victims in a completely Buddhist sector.
Solidarity knows no religion: “All religious groups were made victims by the cyclone. All places of worship-monasteries, clergy houses and convents bore the brunt of the deadly cyclone Nargis, in its monstrous ferocity tore through many of the famous places of worship of all religions,” Archbishop Bo affirmed. He also mentioned the case of someone who had given their life for the others, that of Fr. Andrew Soe, a priest from the Diocese of Pathein, who offered his life as a supreme sacrifice in trying to reach his marooned people. His body was found after 18 days.
The Archbishop explained that many people who survived have dedicated their time to helping others. In a predominately Buddhist country, “compassion broke forth like a healing stream after the demonic deluge.” Even before aid arrived from the government and the NGOs, “spontaneous charity sprang forth with Buddhists feeding Christians and Christians feeding the Buddhists.”
Mercy and compassion have also been shown by members of other religious communities like the Hindus and Muslims. In Bogalay, the Hindu temple opened its portals to feed the multitude. In the ravished streets of Yangon, Muslim merchants were distributing food to the starving masses, victims of the disaster.
The Catholic volunteers, the Archbishop mentions, have not hesitated in attending to the most risky villages, strewn with dead bodies of people and animals. “They were the first ones to hold mothers who lost their children, carried orphans and consoled a grieving community with prayer and simple presence.” “Compassion is the common religion in the post disaster phase,” the Archbishop concludes. Meanwhile, aid continues to be distributed among local Catholic communities: “Aid to the Church in Need” has given an additional sum of 80,000 Euros to the Archdiocese of Yangon and the Diocese of Pathein, that they may continue the preliminary interventions and thus, once again use the damaged Churches and religious buildings. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/6/2008)
