Myanmar bishop dies of Covid-19

Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of Pathein in Myanmar. PHOTO COURTESY OF RVA

By CBCP News

July 22, 2021

Myanmar

A Catholic bishop was one of the more than 200 fatalities from the coronavirus in Myanmar on Thursday, according to Radio Veritas Asia.

Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of Pathein succumbed to the disease at the age of 68.

The prelate was reportedly suffering from diabetes when he contracted Covid-19 early this week.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar expressed sorrow over the death of Bishop Hsane Hgyi, who led Catholics “to moral support and spiritual strength in this time of crisis”.

“He has fought the good fight. He has finished the race. He has kept the faith leaving us an example to imitate,” Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, CBCP President, said.

“We give thanks to God for Bishop John’s life and commitment to the people entrusted to his care,” he said.

Ordained a priest for the Pathein diocese in 1981, Bishop Hsane Hgyi was elevated to the episcopacy in 2003.

Myanmar reported 6,093 new coronavirus cases Thursday with 247 deaths as the nation is facing a third wave of Covid-19.

Covid-19 cases have more than doubled every week in recent weeks, reaching more than 246,000 cases and 5,814 deaths.

On July 18, a missionary priest assigned in the Yangon archdiocese also died of Covid-19.

Fr. Alexander Thein Kyaw of the Order of Servants of Mary congregation was the first priest from the archdiocese to die of the disease.

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