Appeal of Myanmar Bishops: reconciliation through dialogue

Photo: Ninjastrikers, Protest against the military coup (9 Feb 2021, Hpa-An, Kayin State, Myanmar), CC-BY-SA-4.0

In February this year a heartfelt appeal for "reconciliation through dialogue" was launched by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar in a document signed by all the Bishops of the 16 Burmese Dioceses.

The appeal, disseminated and read in all the Catholic Churches of the nation was aimed "at those who are in power so that they resume the path of dialogue", expressing the pain and the deep concern "following the bloodshed in the streets" and because of the "sad and shocking events that provoked so much suffering to our nation".

The Bishops cited with bitterness "the scene of young people dying in the streets, was a wound" inflicted on the nation. Let us not allow the sacred soil to be bathed in brotherly blood." According to Fides sources at least five young people died in the street while more than 500 had been arrested. The Bishops went on to say that, "the nation had in its heart the great promise: the dream of lasting peace and robust democracy. Despite the pandemic, the nation held the elections and the world admired their ability to deal with their internal differences".

The Catholic Bishops joined the Ma Ha Na monks in warning the military: "Myanmar can be wiped off the world map if problems are not resolved in a peaceful manner", and in reiterating with force "the call for reconciliation through dialogue".

The Burmese Bishops concluded with these words: "The use of violence must stop urgently. Lessons from the past teach us that violence never wins. Seventy years after independence, those in power must invest in peace. The capital of peace will heal the nation. Let us give peace a chance. Peace is possible and it is the only way".

Encouraged by the words of the Bishops, lay people and Catholic women took to the streets and marched peacefully, in prayer, showing their full support for a journey of reconciliation and democracy.

Agenzia Fides, www.fides.org, February 22, 2021.

Mission Intention for April 2021

We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.

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Related links

• Read more from The Far East - April 2021