Yangon, Myanmar, 11 February 2020 -- Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, SDB, Archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar) and President of the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences), has appealed to all bishops of Asia (FABC 26 member countries) to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to stall the corona virus epidemic.
Originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the virus has spread to some 30 countries as of 8 February, with 34, 956 cases of confirmed infected people of whom 6,106 are in a severe condition. The virus has killed people, the majority of them in China and 2,355 persons have been reported as recovered.
Writing to his brother bishops in Asia on 8 February, Cardinal Bo said, “I appeal to all my brother bishops in Asia to entrust all victims of the corona virus and people of the whole world to Our Lady of health – Our Lady of Lourdes, whose feast we celebrate on 11 February.”
Cardinal Bo concluded his invitation with a prayer: “May the Lord welcome the dead into his peace, comfort families and sustain the great commitment by the Chinese community that has already been put in place to combat the epidemic... We should pray that Our Blessed Mother intervene to control and help prevent a global epidemic of corona virus. We shall fervently ask her maternal protection to stop the rapid spread of this deadly virus, and give hope and courage, and lay her miraculous healing hands be upon them... In these tragic moments, may Mother Mary who stood by the cross of her dying son Jesus, be the pillar of strength and beacon of hope to the health workers who risk their lives to save the lives of their sick brothers and sisters.”
Let's invite more people to pray in these difficult times for many nations, to entrust the epidemic to Our Lady!
