ASIA/MYANMAR - The Archbishop of Mandalay among the homeless: "The tragedy has not extinguished hope, we will rise with Christ"

by Paolo Affatato

Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) - "The more we suffer, the more we hope in God. Today, our people have hope in God's mercy, in the certainty of his love. There is a divine message that transcends our human intelligence and understanding. Our only way is to entrust ourselves to his merciful love and reaffirm our hope in God's plan of salvation," said Marco Tin Win, Archbishop of Mandalay, whose archdiocese includes the area most affected by the violent earthquake on March 28, in an interview with Fides. In a situation where electricity and telephone connections are struggling due to the damage to infrastructure, the Archbishop offers an overview of the situation on the ground and the spirit that today animates the approximately 20,000 Catholics in Mandalay, many of whom are now homeless.
The Archbishop himself, along with the priests of the Curia, shares the fate of the homeless. Due to structural damage to the cathedral and the bishop's residence, he spent nights on the streets for safety reasons, alongside people who are still shocked and frightened, experiencing the plight of the homeless. After the trauma and shock of the first hours, help was put in place: "Shortly after the earthquake began," he recounts, "the priests and religious raised the alarm and brought people to safety in the churches, monasteries, and the Seminary. We made sure no one was injured. We encouraged and comforted frightened children and people on the streets. Many sought refuge in the church complexes that are still accessible. With our modest means, we share water, food, and shelter with them while we await further external assistance."
In describing the situation, Archbishop Tin Win points out that the earthquake's epicenter is located between the cities of Mandalay and Sagaing in the Archdiocese of Mandalay, and that several municipalities have been severely affected. "According to initial reports, here in Mandalay alone, over 1,000 people have lost their lives, over 2,200 have been injured, and 200 are missing." Humanitarian aid is trying to provide the homeless with essentials, namely "drinking water, food, emergency shelter, medicine, and hygiene kits," he says. The Catholic community is also affected, families are grieving, and there is damage to churches and pastoral institutions: "The Church of Our Lady Help of Christians in the city of Sagaing, the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in the city of Yamethin, and the Church of Saints Joachim and Anne in the parish of Sint Kaing have collapsed. Of the 40 churches in the diocese, these three were the most severely affected. Among the others, all have minor or major cracks. About 25 churches are no longer suitable for the safe celebration of services. The intermediate Seminary in the city of Mandalay is also severely damaged, and the Minor Seminary in Pyin Oo Lwin has cracks in its building structure." However, the tragedy has not extinguished faith, but, according to the Archbishop, it has triggered a dynamic of unceasing prayer "while we are at the height of pain between the war, the earthquake, and the grief." "Even in this terrible chaos, no one feels at the mercy of events: we suffer together, we comfort one another, and we pray together," he says. "I addressed words of encouragement to the people: Do not be afraid. We are here. The Lord tells us: I will be with you," he reports. "The disaster," he continues, "unites people regardless of ethnicity, faith, or social class. I see how people are supporting one another and showing increasing solidarity and charity toward one another. So many people of good will have put themselves at the service of the victims, that is a beautiful sign," he notes.
During this time, the greatest refuge is prayer: "We pray that the souls of the deceased may be welcomed by the Lord. We pray for the wounded, the weak, and the abandoned, that they may be comforted. We ask God for the strength to be instruments of spiritual and humanitarian aid, instruments of his love for every person. And we ask for peace for our beloved country, wounded by war and earthquakes," said Archbishop Tin Win. "It consoles us," he concluded, "to see that the entire Church does not abandon us, neither nationally nor universally. Even the Pope prays for us and gives us comfort and hope. Easter is just around the corner: we are in God's hands and will rise with Christ. In the year of the Jubilee, we renew our hope in Christ. We entrust ourselves to Mary, Mother of God, who protects us from evil, danger, and death." (Agenzia Fides, 3/4/2025)

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