Myanmar’s Pathein diocese cancels a planned physical meeting of the Catholic Mother Association, as participants express the grief of meeting one another for a long time.
Father Wilfred Myint Soe, in charge of the Catholic Mother Association in Pathein Diocese parish priests via Viber about the cancellation on February 15.
“The physical meeting of the Catholic Mother Association, which was planned on February 19 is canceled due to the current situations,” announced Father Myint Soe.
Catholic Mother Association is a non-governmental, non-profit organization committed to empowering women, reducing poverty, and enhancing dynamic Christian values.
The meet will be held online via Zoom on the same day. Father Myint Soe requested all the parish priests to assist their participants with technology in joining the online meet.
“May I request all the parish priests to help the mothers who are going to join the online meeting and who do not know how to use online media,” Father Myint Soe said.
Daw Shwe, the active member of the Association from the Cathedral parish, said, “I was happy to meet my friends who are members of Mother Association because it has been for a long time for us to come together.”
“We have already prepared what to discuss and do when we meet one another during the meeting. Now with the cancellation, there are no more chances to meet one another in person,” she told RVA News.
Daw Shwe expressed difficulty for all participants to join the online meet, as members are not tech-savvy and have limited internet connection in some areas.
The meet is cancelled because of the spread of Omicron cases in the country.
Priests from various parish started sending text messages on Clergy Group that the parishioners are afraid to travel with the widespread of Omicron and maintain travel protocol.
According to the local authorities, travelers are required to bring a health certificate and the recommendation letter of the local official.
Two members from each parish were invited for the planned physical meeting.
Father Oswald, the parish priest of Lethamar, informed all the priests that the invitees are afraid of the spread of Omicron and the parishioners who are staying back have a fear that those taking part in the meet will bring back Omicron in their parishes.
At least one checkpoint is found at the entrance of every town in the country. The police and soldiers ask for health certificates and the local official’s recommendation letter at the entrance gate of every city.
Father Kyaw Aung who got infected with Omicron said, “It is better to have a meeting via online zoom because we cannot underestimate the widespread of Omicron.”
“It is the best idea to cancel a physical meeting and have a virtual meeting online,” added Father Aung.
The Catholic Mother Association in the diocese of Pathein used to hold its physical meeting annually at the diocesan center before the health and political crises broke out in the country.
As of February 15, Myanmar’s Ministry of Health under the military regime announced 2467 new cases, 518,884 in the number of infected people, and 19314 in the number of deaths in Myanmar.
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