Compassion is the Common Religion in Post-Nargis Myanmar
by Archbishop Charles Bo, Yangoon, Myanmar
June 13, 2008
As the waters raged in the predominantly Christian village, the monks from the nearby monastery were on the noble mission of saving people. A monk swam across the currents to pull out a woman who was about to be dragged by the marauding river. In the far off Phyapon, where the Christian group Karuna was distributing aid to the survivors, they choose Buddhist monks as their partners in distributing aid to non-Christian villages.
All religious groups were made victims by the cyclone. All places of worship—monasteries, clergy houses and convents bore the brunt of the deadly cyclone. Nargis, in its monstrous ferocity, tore through many of the famous places of worship of all religions. In Aima, in the Pathein Diocese, Fr. Andrew Soe Win, offered his life as a supreme sacrifice in trying to reach his marooned people. His body was found after 18 days.
But nothing deterred them from the sacred duty of saving lives. In the predominately Buddhist Country, where Metta and Karuna [mercy and compassion) are the major tenets of a great religion, compassion broke forth like a healing stream after the demonic deluge. Churches and monasteries became the refugee camps. With death and mayhem threatening them in their villages, thousands took refuge in sacred spaces, seeking coping and mutual consolation. Even before the government or NGOs could move in, spontaneous charity sprang forth with Buddhists feeding Christians and Christians feeding the Buddhists, etc. Nargis broke many things in an evil way. Goodness broke all parochial borders that fateful night when death danced arrogantly across wounding a nation.
In Bogalay the Hindu temple opened its portals to feed the multitude. In the ravished streets of Yangon, Muslim merchants were distributing food to the starving masses. More poignant was the response of many poor and lower middle class people. They collected whatever they had and every weekend they treaded across in an aid convoy to far off Labutta. Nargis stripped naked a nation with violence but people of all faiths are clothing it now with compassion.
With other Christian Communities, Catholics threw in everything into rescue—money, material and manpower. Many young men and women volunteered to go to the risky villages, strewn with dead bodies of people and animals. The first psychosocial assistance came from nuns who risked their lives, by undertaking dangerous boat travels, without life jacket, etc. They were the first ones to hold mothers who lost their children, carried orphans and consoled a grieving community with prayer and simple presence. Hundreds of seminarians were the first rescuers, clearing the villages of debris. All these are done under extreme restrictions. Through the national Caritas, assistance continues.
Compassion is the common religion in the post disaster phase. In Myanmar people lived with various tags—religion, colour and tribe. But now Nargis taught us all, that human tears have no colour, no religion, and no tribe.
Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon Appeals for Support for Shelter as Monsoon Arrives
June 10, 2008
After a month, the people of Myanmar limp back to a semblance of normal life. But even by World Food Programme data, only 60% of the people in- need, are being fed. Villages are yet to be reached. Dead bodies are becoming a great concern. Drinking water is still a luxury for these homeless people.
Heavy monsoon is lashing areas already wounded cyclone survivors. The number of people who were without homes is around a million and a half. The delta houses were already fragile, with thatch roofs. With 90% of the thatch trees destroyed by the cyclone, shelter is becoming an urgent need.
Also destroyed are the community assets of the people. 90% of the schools in the Delta region and the Laputta area are destroyed. Children are trying to study in roofless schools. Without proper uniforms and books going to school is a challenge to cyclone-affected children. Protection of children is becoming a serious concern. We have started helping children to be back in school, with support in uniforms and other educational needs.
Churches, pagodas and monasteries are in ruins. Thousands need trauma healing. In a country known for deep spiritual practices, praying could be one way of healing of painful memories. Even the consolation of praying is denied. The emerging need is for shelters –tarpaulins, thatches and zinc- sheets.
The Church has started supporting shelter needs. At least 700,000 huts need either repair or rebuilding. Soaring zinc prices and logistics constraints delay giving shelter to thousands. To all of you, who supported us during the emergency phase, we owe a deep debt of gratitude. We appeal to the world to continue its concern for the people of Myanmar. Our people need to return to a 'home' where they can start their lives once again. Once that happens, Church can concentrate on reviving livelihood, especially agriculture and fishing.
During my tours, I met a lad of seven—Ni Tut- was his name, from the village of Lein-mor-gone near Ai Ma. I asked him whether he would go to school this year. He said. "No, Both of my parents were taken away by Nargis, my school teacher is dead too. Our village school building has disappeared. I now live and work with my uncle: fishing. I am happy." "Would you like to go to school if I help you?" Ni Tut smiled. He is now in one of our boarding houses among hundreds of other children.
Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon Welcomes the Announcement of Aid Workers to be
Allowed into Myanmar
May 25, 2008
Prayers and love to all the family members.
Three weeks after the devastating Cyclone Nargis struck on the 2nd and 3rd of May, the people of Myanmar are still struggling to comes to terms with scale of the disaster. For those who survived in the affected Delta and Yangon regions, survival is a day to day struggle, with access to clean water, food, shelter and medical attention still limited. In addition to this the severe water logging, damage to paddy fields, the loss of tools, seed and animals will have a negative impact on rice production and food security for this vulnerable population.
The local response in Myanmar has been hugely important in these initial few weeks, however, resources and capacity have been stretched. Therefore, I welcome the recent announcement that the government will allow all aid workers into the country. I hope that this announcement is followed through and that international support can build on the local structures and efforts already underway.
Amidst the stories of despair is also hope. The people of Myanmar have joined together in their solidarity for those affected by the cyclone. People and leaders of all religions have been working together to try and reach affected communities and encourage the government to do all they can to help those in need. The stories I have heard from the people who faced and survived the full force of the cyclone and continue to live with dignity and hope, pay tribute to the unwavering nature of the human spirit. The humane acts of courage and kindness of those who have volunteered to assist the people in the delta region, and the international support and solidarity received by the Church in Myanmar shows further evidence of the generosity of humankind.
In saying that, there is still a lot to do to relieve the suffering of our people . . . The emergency relief phase is not over. Basic needs of hundreds and thousands of people still need to be met. To date the Catholic Church has reached approximately 25,000 people and provided relief support such as food, shelter clean drinking water. An important part of the Church response is also to provide psychological and spiritual support to communities affected by these recent traumatic events. Children are particularly vulnerable at this time. Many have lost their parents and need support and protection to help them heal. An important aspect of the Churches' response is our ability to reach communities that other organizations and networks cannot currently reach. We are also committed to continue our support and hope to reach a further 40,000 people with relief and also to support communities rebuild their lives and livelihoods over the coming months and years.
Holy See Website Dedicated to Justice and Peace
November 23, 2006
The Holy See has started a web page dedicated to information about, and formation in, justice and peace. The initiative, www.justpax.it, was launched by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, whose president is Cardinal Renato Martino. For now, the Web page will publish information in Spanish, Italian, English and French on ecclesial documents, congresses, statements of representatives of the Church and also gives information about the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, as well as its members.
From www.zenit.org
Plowshares to Release New Academic Journal on Religion, Conflict and Peace
October 18, 2006
The Plowshares Peace Studies collaborative in Indiana will issue an
open-access, online journal devoted to the discussion of religion as both a source of conflict in the world and a source of peace. The Journal of Religion, Conflict, and Peace debuts in September 2007.
A recent survey of more than 900 publications on peace and justice
revealed few that did much work on religion, conflict, and peace, and none with that sole focus. The Plowshares colleges (Earlham, Goshen, Manchester), rooted in the Historic Peace Church tradition of the Society of Friends, the Mennonite Church, and the Church of the Brethren, are well-qualified publishers for such a journal.
The Journal will address topics from any discipline that can illuminate its central concern for peace. Perspectives on peace from any faith tradition and from secular perspectives are invited. Members of the editorial board include the Plowshares professors from Manchester, Goshen, and Earlham colleges, as well as followers of Islam and Judaism. Other board members include Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez, professor of philosophy and religious studies at Youngstown State University and Lucinda Peach, associate professor of philosophy and Religion at American University.
Scholars and writers may send queries and electronic submissions for the journal to Julie Garber, managing editor, at jrcpeditor@plowsharesproject.org. Submissions for the inaugural issue are due March 1, 2007.
From Plowshares Collaborative News and Events
http://www.plowsharesproject.org/php/news/news.php?n=38
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