People are still hopeful despite Myanmar earthquake, says Mandalay archbishop

The recent earthquake has not extinguished hope, says Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay, Myanmar.

“Due to the calamity, suffering is increasing, and our hope in God is rising ever higher,” says the prelate. “Our people now place trust in God's mercy and the certainty of His love. God has a message that transcends our human intellect and understanding.”

"Our only way is to trust in God’s merciful love and reaffirm our hope in God,” he said in an interview with the Rome-based Fides agency.

Mandalay is one of the most affected by the catastrophic earthquake on March 28. The earthquake’s epicenter was between Mandalay and Sagaing, which severely affected many towns.

Initial estimates indicate that more than a thousand individuals in the Mandalay area alone have died, over 2,200 were hurt, and 200 are unaccounted for.

Following the tragedy, there has been significant infrastructure damage, resulting in problems with services like electricity and phone connections, road communication, and numerous damaged houses.

Sharing the local circumstances and the spirit motivating the roughly 20 thousand Catholics in Mandalay, the prelate said many of the Catholics, along with thousands of others, are displaced.

He and his curia priests spend nights on the streets for protection, sharing the suffering of homeless individuals caused by structural damage to the cathedral and the archbishop’s house. The situation resembles a refugee crisis, with immense suffering.

Following the catastrophe, Catholic priests and nuns tried to help people in churches, convents, and the seminary as soon as the earthquake struck.

“We ensured that no one suffered harm. We provided comfort and support to the terrified children, leaving some on the streets. Many sought safety in church structures still extant. Our limited resources allow us to share water, food, and shelter with them while we wait for outside assistance to find us,” Archbishop Tin Win said.

The humanitarian effort is striving to satisfy the most urgent requirements for the homeless, especially "drinking water, food, temporary shelters, sanitary water, medicine, and hygiene kits," he says.

The Catholic community has also suffered; some families are mourning, and religious and pastoral facilities have taken a hit.

The church of Mary Auxiliary in the town of Sagaing, the church of Our Lady of Lourdes in the town of Yamethin, and the church of Saints John and Anna in Sint Kaing municipality have collapsed.

Of the forty churches in the diocese, these three were the most impacted. They all have cracks, big or small. Roughly 25 churches cannot comfortably hold liturgy. Structural damage also affected the Minor Seminary in Pyin Oo Lwin and the Intermediate Seminary in Mandalay City.

The archbishop claims that the disaster has not killed faith but rather caused a flood of unending prayer: "We are at the height of pain" from war, earthquakes, and mourning.

"No one feels trapped by the happenings even in this awful turmoil; we suffer together, we comfort one another, and we pray together," he says.

Disaster unifies individuals without distinction of nationality, creed, or social position.

He observed that the people helped one another and showed more kindness and camaraderie. Many excellent people have volunteered to help the victims; their generosity is encouraging, he notes.

“We are praying for peace for our cherished nation, hurt by war and earthquake,” the prelate said. “We pray for the dead and the families who lost loved ones. We pray for assistance needed for people at this critical time.”