From: Bishop Stephen Wright <bishop@diocesehn.org.uk>
Sent: 04 April 2025 10:24
Subject: CAFOD Myanmar Earthquake Appeal
Dear Fathers, Dear Deacons, Dear Sisters and Brothers
I share with you the letter below which I have received from CAFOD. Please forgive the late notice but you may wish to advertise the suggested insert for parish bulletins which is found at the end of the letter.
We keep the people of Myanmar in our prayers.
With assurance of prayers
+Stephen
In this fourth week of Lent, I would like to thank you for your support for CAFOD’s Lent Appeal. Thank you for encouraging our Catholic community across England and Wales to walk as pilgrims of hope with all our sisters and brothers who experience the daily indignity of poverty in this Jubilee Year.
I’m sure you have heard about the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar last Friday 28 March. Whilst detailed news reporting is difficult, we know through our Church networks that the devastation is significant. We have also received enquiries from churches, schools and supporters across England and Wales who are concerned and keen to help. We have opened the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal online.
Funds raised will support our Catholic Church partners in Myanmar to deliver the water, food, solar lights, mosquito nets and water purification tablets that they have told us are urgently needed for families affected by the earthquake. In the longer term, we aim to help communities rebuild their lives when the situation allows.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, spoke to Vatican News on 28 March, after witnessing the earthquake himself while in a vehicle on the road near the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. He said:
“We are deeply touched by the promise of support by the Catholic Church everywhere. The people need food, shelter, medicine, and all life-saving materials.”
Cardinal Bo also said that the “Church’s personnel and religious groups would be the best channel to bring assistance” to those in need.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) will launch an appeal on Thursday 3 April. As you know, we are an active member of the DEC. UK broadcasters will invite the public to donate to support people of Myanmar and we will encourage the Catholic community in parishes to donate directly to CAFOD, so we can prioritise support through our Church partners. We will be asking Catholic parishes to hold collections for the people of Myanmar at Masses this coming Sunday, 6 April, or at a time which does not clash with other commitments and collections. CAFOD appeal donations will be recognised as part of the overall DEC appeal.
People in Myanmar were already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 19 million people – over a third of the population – already in need of day to day assistance. We have been providing support to communities in Myanmar, including the region at the epicentre of the earthquake for many, many years. While the full scale of the earthquake’s impact will take time to emerge, we know that this disaster has further strained resources and exacerbated existing hardships.
Cardinal Bo has also clearly expressed, “more than anything, our people need peace, not the churning anxiety triggered by the multidimensional crisis. I have appealed to all concerned for urgent humanitarian support and unimpeded access to the affected people. I have made an earnest appeal for the ceasefire by all the groups in hostilities.”
We would be most grateful for your support through your diocesan communications and conversations with clergy, parishes and schools. I enclose a short bulletin you can include in your bulletins or diocesan social media below. Your parishes, schools, and diocesan communications coordinators can find further details on the appeal and collections on our website. Please don’t hesitate to contact your local CAFOD representative for further information and support.
I wish you a blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter. Thank you for your prayers for our sisters and brothers in Myanmar. We pray for those who have died, for healing for the injured and for comfort for those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. We pray especially for our Church partners as they reach out to those affected by this disaster.
Thank you, as ever, for your support for CAFOD this Lent.
Dr Christine Allen
Executive Director, CAFOD
Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB www.cafod.org.uk