Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, Myanmar has expressed his gratitude to the Church in the Philippines for their prayers and solidarity with Myanmar in this challenging times.
"With grateful sentiments, we, the Myanmar Catholics, deeply appreciate the communion of the Church in Philippines through its prayer day on July19," he said in his July 18 letter to Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Bo added that their fellowship at these very challenging times was a "moving gesture."
"Our people face threefold existential threats to their dignity: coup, COVID and collapse of the economy. The tragic Way of the Cross our people tread for the last five months has been an excruciating period of anguish. Hundreds died in the conflict, COVID waves carried away unknown numbers, to be buried unsung and unwept in their last moments," he said.
But in these sorrowful moments, Bo said, Churches stood with them with intense prayer, campaign for peace and reconciliation and consistent support to the people.
He said they are "deeply touched" by the CBCP initiative to hold a nationwide prayer and observe a day of Solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
"These noble gestures continue to heal our people," Bo said.
"We owe a great debt to the Philippine Church and the people for welcoming our men nd women when they come for their training. Your accompaniment has empowered the Church here. May the Lord who blesses the cheerful giver, bless all of you a hundredfold," he added.
Bo is the chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar (CBCM).