Thursday 8 May 2008

With a continually rising death toll and countless thousands of people homeless in Myanmar/ Burma, Catholic Mission joins in prayer with our patron Pope Benedict XVI. In a telegram to Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng of Mandalay, president of the bishops’ conference of Myanmar, the Holy Father expressed deep sadness and sympathy and assured him of his “prayers for the victims and their families, invoking God’s peace upon the dead and divine strength and comfort upon the homeless and all who are suffering.”

The children are often the worst affected. This year Catholic Mission is subsidising 53 children’s projects as part of an overall support scheme of more than $1.47 million to Myanmar/Burma.

Already for 2009, Myanmar/Burma is asking for the same amount in project assistance, but this was before this tragedy hit. No doubt the need has grown exponentially. The Catholic Church is a minority in Myanmar/Burma, but is one of the few trusted groups in the country, alongside the Buddhist Monks.

Catholic agencies will play a crucial role in delivering aid. See Caritas organisation for their emergency assistance program.

Catholic Mission’s National Director Martin Teulan has been in contact with his counterpart in Myanmar/Burma, Father Callistus Saw Eh Mwee who says:

"Many thanks for your kind concern for us. The Nargis cyclone hit our country on the 2nd and 3rd of May. I am safe and sound but many people suffered much. Over one hundred people were killed in our neighbourhood alone, and many hundreds more are homeless. Many villages were wiped out completely. Among them were two parishes from our diocese."

Catholic Mission has promised to help Myanmar/Burma as we have done for many years, but we cannot do it without your gracious prayers and support. For further information and if you would like to assist, go to the Catholic Mission website at www.catholicmission.org.au or call 1 800 257 296.