austraLasia #2146

Archbishop Bo writes Yangon

YANGON (Myanmar): 14th May 2008 -- Archbishop Charles Bo, now that he has had a chance to receive wide-ranging reports from around his diocese, writes as follows to austraLasia:
    "Prayers and wishes from Yangon. Thanks for all the news concerning the Salesian world. Thanks for the concern and kind offer at this time of great need for us.  I feel more than ever, the world as a family.  The cyclone hit and greatly damaged many parts of Yangon and Pathein Dioceses. We have formed one central committee for both dioceses (MDCR: Myanmar Disaster Relief Committee).
    The numbers of dead are rising each day: it will not be less than 100,000, those who have lost their lives.
    In both dioceses, the Church is carrying out emergency works such as setting up camps and bringing victims into the camps, providing food, water, medicines and immediate roofing and shelters.
    Many volunteers, lay people, priests, nuns, Catholic doctors, nurses are now in the field working on these needs.  In the archdiocese of Yangon, Caritas Yangon together with Caritas Myanmar have sent out the first emergency aid to some of the most badly hit places and villages. Now the second group is operating on a larger scale for food, water and medicine headed by Catholic doctors and nurses and religious sisters with medical experience.  Most probably they will come back after four or five days with more information and details.
    The need is enormous and vast. Over thousands and thousands of families in the Archdiocese of Yangon alone were greatly affected. We surely need your immediate support in kind or cash. As for the other damage, beginning with our St. Mary's Cathedral, all churches in Yangon City and nearby parishes, the bishop's compound, clergy houses, convents and boarding places have been affected.
    We will give you more details and updating news later.
    With our deep appreciation and thanks,
    Charles Bo,
    Archbishop of Yangon
  _________________
 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2008 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there.  Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at at http://sdl.sdb.org

Title: australasia 2146
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces MYM Cyclone disaster
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2146