Catholics in Myanmar appealed for urgent aid to rebuild churches damaged by a deadly earthquake, as they welcomed Pope Leo XIV with messages of hope.
“Now we must rebuild hope in our communities, already affected by war and hardship. We renew an urgent appeal: help us rebuild our ecclesial communities in Mandalay,” said Father Peter Kyi Maung, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Mandalay, in an interview with Fides News Agency.
The 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28 left widespread damage to church buildings and pastoral centers.
In response, the Emergency Rescue Team of the Diocese of Mandalay has begun on-site assessments to determine the full extent of the destruction.
“These sacred places, where we gather for worship, prayer, and mutual support, now urgently need to be repaired and restored. We appeal to our great family of faith, asking for your generous support,” the team said in a statement.
The reconstruction priorities include repairing churches, restoring community centers and catechism rooms, and building safe spaces for liturgy and parish gatherings.
“In this way,” Fr. Kyi Maung explained, “we will be able to resume the spiritual and communal life of the people of God. We are called to help communities flourish anew in faith and resilience.”
“For so many suffering people, we are instruments of God’s mercy and compassion in this time of trial. Therefore, we ask for the support of the faithful everywhere,” he added.
Despite the ongoing crisis, the Catholic community in Myanmar also expressed joy at the election of Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay sent a congratulatory message to the new pontiff, asking him “to support peace for Myanmar.”
“Many non-Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims, and Protestants followed the Pope’s election with great interest. This was a moment of witness and evangelization for us,” the archbishop told Fides.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, who was present at the Conclave, shared photos of himself with the new Pope and relayed his personal plea: “I asked him not to forget us and expressed the hope that he would visit Myanmar soon.”
Burmese Dominican Fr. Paul Aung Myint also voiced hope in the new papacy. “We are certain that Pope Leo will pay attention to the conflicts of the forgotten, the suffering of the poor, the marginalized, and the many refugees in Myanmar and other parts of the world: we know he will be a voice for the voiceless,” he said.
Joseph Kung, a Catholic from Yangon, said they “do not yet know the new Pope Leo well,” but noted his missionary background and multilingual abilities, which he believes will help the pontiff connect with bishops and faithful across Asia, including in Myanmar.
