Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - There are "seven swords that pierce Mary's heart in Myanmar", said Cardinal Charles Maung Bo presiding over the Mass at the National Marian Shrine in Nyaung Lay Bin.
As reported to Fides, speaking to a crowd of about 100,000 pilgrims, Cardinal Bo said: "The seven swords of Our Lady of Sorrows in Myanmar are: crony capitalism, so few families have everything; the refusal to resolve conflicts through dialogue, but with the use of violence; unjust laws that continue to deprive the poor of their lands; the criminal economy of drugs and human trafficking; discrimination of ethnic minorities; the destruction and looting of natural resources; the lack of opportunities for education and employment for the poor.
Faced with these difficulties, continues the text sent to Fides, "the people ask the help of our merciful Mother who we can trust because she is our loving mother", who looks after her children with compassion.
The Cardinal recalled that "Christianity cannot be selfish", citing "millions of our young people living as refugees in neighboring countries; farmers who are losing their land: the thousands of people living in displaced communities". "In this time of Lent, we are called to look after each other. Just as our Mother Mary takes care of humanity". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/03/2014)
