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POPE-ASIA Jun-2-2008 (260 words) With photos. xxxi
Pope calls for prayers for disaster victims in China, Myanmar
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI called for prayers for all those who have been hit by natural disasters in China and Myanmar.
Before praying his noonday Angelus June 1, he asked for the "maternal intercession" of Mary to help those suffering in the aftermath of China's earthquake and Cyclone Nargis that struck Myanmar.
He called on Mary to help those affected by these "natural calamities and for those dealing with the many situations of suffering, illness, and material and spiritual misery that mark humanity's journey."
The Chinese government said June 1 that the official death toll from the May 12 quake had risen to more than 69,000; it also said more than 360,000 people were injured and some 19,000 people were still missing. More than 15 million had been evacuated from areas affected by the quake, government officials said.
The May 3 cyclone that devastated parts of Myanmar left 78,000 dead and another 56,000 people missing, according to aid agencies. According to the United Nations, at least 2.4 million people are in need of food, clean water, shelter and clothing.
Myanmar's military government has come under fire by the international community for not adequately responding to the emergency and limiting foreign workers' access to the hardest hit areas.
The pope told visiting bishops from Myanmar May 30 he hoped access would be granted "to the places where it is needed most" and that cyclone victims would receive urgently needed humanitarian relief.
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Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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