ASIA/MYANMAR - Dominican Father: now is the time for compassion, even towards enemies

Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) - "We share the suffering and pain of so many affected individuals and families in this difficult and devastating time. May the Lord guide those who are working for the wounded. This is a time of compassion towards the people of Myanmar. We ask everyone to pray and help Myanmar," Father Paul Win Aung Myint (OP), a Burmese Dominican from Myitkyina, who studied and lived for years in the Diocese of Mandalay, told Fides.
"The earthquake has devastated Myanmar, especially the areas of Mandalay and Sagaing, and struck a country plagued by war, violence, and floods. It is a terrible blow. We believe the number of victims will continue to rise. And in many areas where there is no civil government, the situation is even more critical," the religious said.
The priest reports on the devastation in the cities of Mandalay and Sagaing, "the two most damaged cities with the highest number of victims." "Relief programs have been launched, and people are doing their best," he reports. "Sagaing," he continues, "is 80 percent destroyed. People need water, food, and medicine. Local volunteers are busy evacuating people or reaching those still buried under the rubble to save lives. In Sagaing alone, there are already over 200 dead and thousands injured. Many churches in this city have been damaged. Parts of the Catholic Church of Mary Help of Christians in Sagaing collapsed, but fortunately not during the worship."
The church of St. Vincent de Paul, the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition and the pastoral center of the Dominican Fathers in the municipality of Sintgain, in the diocese of Mandalay, were also damaged. The Dominican religious are still in shock and, due to the aftershocks, they still have to stay outdoors for safety.
Father Paul appreciates the international aid: "Rescuers and aid are arriving from many countries around the world. We see that international solidarity has been mobilized, and Caritas has also activated donations. We would like to thank all the countries, communities, organizations, and all the people who are helping: The suffering people in Myanmar are very grateful. We pray and entrust to God all the volunteers who are providing aid with great humanity and courage so that they can do their work and be safe."
Father Paul concludes with a spiritual reflection on the solidarity that can be found in Myanmar at this time, where "a seed of good can be seen in the heartbreaking situation on the ground": "When a life needs to be saved, in an emergency situation, only that human life counts and nothing else. There is no longer an enemy. Even when natural disasters bring pain and death, in such emergency situations we see that hatred, hostility, and the exploitation of others take a back seat. Now it is about saving lives. We also see this in the volunteers who have volunteered to help. There are no factions or enemies, there is no politics, no war." (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 1/4/2025)

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civil war

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