The president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences released a letter on the Covid-19 emergency. In it he writes that “Natural disasters, pandemics are grim reminder of our restricted existence. We are powerless in the face of a invisible microbe attack despite stockpiling lethal arsenal of arms.”
Yangon (AsiaNews) – The Covid-19 virus epidemic provides an opportunity to promote universal brotherhood and introspection. At the same time, people should acknowledge “in humility human fragility and our mortal nature,” writes Card Charles Maung Bo (pictured), archbishop of Yangon and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), in a letter released yesterday dedicated the current health emergency.
In light of this situation, the prelate calls on the faithful to “remember every brother and sister affected in our prayers every day”, adding that “It is not a time for mutual blame”, for it is “the Lord of Life who protects people from all evil.”
Instead, “Let the army of prayer warriors rise in robust defiance against this sickness with prayers. Let the Masses and adorations be held in every church for our suffering brothers and sisters. Myanmar Church accompanies all the brothers and sisters and countries affected by this sad plight with prayers.
For Card Bo, “Disasters are a time for humanity’s fellowship. [. . .] Tears and blood of human brokenness has no language, no religion and no colour. Commendable fellowship is manifested now across continents by good people.” Likewise, they “are also time for introspection.”
“Atheistic assertions, displaced arrogance in invincibility of arms and technological superiority have put many leaders in delusion of unbridled power. The only super power over our lives is God. Natural disasters, pandemics are grim reminder of our restricted existence. We are powerless in the face of a invisible microbe attack despite stockpiling lethal arsenal of arms. Weapons of death are available but no antidote so far this virus! Life becomes a commodity. Sacredness of human life is superseded by economic interests. Pope Francis has been waging a war against economic injustice and environmental injustice.”
“While emergency responses are to be taken at a war footing, serious introspection need to be taken at various levels at the ultimate meaning and destination of human life. A world devoid of transcendental value of human life, tend to commodify everything that is sacred and reducing human life into a cog in the market economy. Disasters and virus pandemic periodically remind humanity that we all have only one planet : We either stand together or fall together. Lessons need to be learned, transcending parochial interests.”
In the end, “Humanity will overcome because it has more grace to be compassionate. This time too our oneness will overcome this deadly pandemic.”