Circular No. 21-35

Your Eminences, Archbishops and Bishops and Diocesan Administrators:
Peace!

Since 1 February 2021, when the military coup in Myanmar was reported, we have been following in the news the very sad unfolding of events of the suffering of the people of Myanmar. Since then, every day is a day of violence and misery for these beautiful people of the nation of Myanmar.

On 6 February 2021,I sent, on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), a letter to Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the Archbishop of Yangon Myanmar and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM), assuring him of our prayers and solidarity with his people in these difficult times.

Today, I received a special letter and message titled An Extreme Appeal from Cardinal Bo. This particularly refers to the violent attack on the 23rd May 2021, Pentecost Sunday, on the Sacred Heart Church in Kayanthayar, near Loikaw in Eastern Myanmar, that resulted to the death of four (4) and the injury of many. I am attaching a copy of the letter of Cardinal Bo.

This message of Cardinal Bo regarding this particular terrible act of violence committed against the people gathered in a house of worship describes vividly and painfully the ongoing suffering of the people of Myanmar.

In this context, I am making this appeal for all of us that:

On May 30, next Sunday, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, and also designated as BEC Sunday, we include in all our Masses in our cathedrals and parishes, a special prayer for the suffering people of Myanmar and, in particular, for the Church in Myanmar.

Let us beg the Lord for an end to this violence and for all the people concerned tobe led towards the forging of peace. Cardinal Bo said in his letter “Peace is possible; peace is the only way”.

Thank you for your kind attention. May our Blessed Mother, Our Lady Help of All Christians, continue to accompany us.

+ Romulo G. Valles, D.D.
Archbishop of Davao
CBCP President
26 May 2021