«We should pray that Our Blessed Mother intervenes to control and help prevent a global epidemic of Coronavirus,» says the president of Asia’s bishops.
This is at the heart of the message of Salesian Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon (Myanmar), which His Eminence has provided to ZENIT, which was sent before the Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, and can be read in its entirety below.
The leader of Asia’s bishops encouraged all faithful to «fervently ask her maternal protection to stop the rapid spread of this deadly virus, give hope and courage, and lay her miraculous healing hands upon them.»
«In these tragic moments,» he reminded, «may Mother Mary who stood by the cross of her dying son Jesus, be the pillar of strength and beacon of hope to the health workers who risk their lives to save the lives of their sick brothers and sisters.»
Cardinal Bo prayed «the Lord welcome the dead into his peace, comfort families and sustain the great commitment by the Chinese community that has already been put in place to combat the epidemic.»
He also appealed to all his brother bishops in Asia «to entrust all victims of Coronavirus and people of the whole world to the Lady of health – Our Lady of Lourdes.»
Myanmar is emerging from decades of military rule after Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won the 2015 elections and has taken office.
The Muslim minority of the Rohingyas is considered by the UN to be one of the most persecuted. According to data from the Arakan Project, a humanitarian organization defending Rohingyas rights, since 2010, some 100,000 members of the minority have fled Burma (Myanmar) by sea. Violence between radical Buddhists and Rohingyas has left, since 2012, more than 200 dead and 140,000 displaced.
Here is Cardinal Bo’s full message provided to ZENIT English:
Message on Coronavirus Epidemic 2020
To all my brothers and Sisters,
All blessings on the upcoming feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the miraculous healer. Special prayers and blessings to victims of the deadly Coronavirus plaguing the world, particularly our Asian continent.
Originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the virus has spread to some 30 countries as of Saturday 8 February (10.50 GMT) with 34, 956 cases of confirmed infected people of which 6,106 in severe condition, and killed 724 brothers and sisters, majority of the victims in China and 2,355 persons have been reported as recovered.
Outside of China, Coronavirus cases have been confirmed in almost all countries of Asia.
The Coronavirus was first reported to the World Health Organization on December 31.
At this critical juncture, I would like to be close to and pray for my brothers and sisters who are sick because of this virus that has spread through China and the world over.
May the Lord welcome the dead into his peace, comfort families and sustain the great commitment by the Chinese community that has already been put in place to combat the epidemic.
I also appeal to all my brother bishops in Asia to entrust all victims of Coronavirus and people of the whole world to the Lady of health – Our Lady of Lourdes, whose feast we shall celebrate on Tuesday 11th February.
We should pray that Our Blessed Mother intervenes to control and help prevent a global epidemic of corona virus. We shall fervently ask her maternal protection to stop the rapid spread of this deadly virus and give hope and courage and lay her miraculous healing hands be upon them.
In these tragic moments, may Mother Mary who stood by the cross of her dying son Jesus, be the pillar of strength and beacon of hope to the health workers who risk their lives to save the lives of their sick brothers and sisters.
Charles Cardinal Bo SDB
President: FABC
Archbishop of Yangon
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes – 2020
[Text of Message provided to ZENIT English by Cardinal Bo]
