Myanmar diocese sets new guidelines for burial of COVID-19 victims following death of two priests
The Diocese of Kalay in Myanmar announced new guidelines for the burial of COVID-19 victims following the death of two Catholic priests in the past week due to the disease.
The diocese announced that priests will be blessing those who died of COVID-19 only in cemeteries.
“For the funeral services during this current situation, clergies will not go to the funeral houses but will be waiting at the cemetery," read the announcement issued by the diocese.
The priests will be waiting at the cemetery to pray and bless the remains of those who departed.
The decision was made to prevent the possible spread of the virus. The new arrangement took effect on Sunday, June 27, and will be effective until further notice.
Two Catholic priests in the Diocese of Kalay died of COVID-19 in the past week.
The priests were Father Florian Zam Khaw Kam, 48, and Father Timothy Thang Do Cin, 52. They were the first Catholic priests who died of the disease in the country.
Father Timothy, parish priest of Sawbua Yeshan, died on June 14 at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in the city of Kalay.
Father Florian, parish priest of Suangpi in Tedim Township, died on June 24 at the Civil Hospital in Tedim Myo.
The Diocese of Kalay, which has 25 parishes served by 58 priests, has a population oof 974,983, with 56,048 Catholics. - Raymond Kyaw Aung/RVA News
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