ASIA/MYANMAR - Peace in Myanmar: religions will give their contribution

Tuesday, 2 May 2017 peace   justice   buddhism   dialogue  

Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - "We have come not to count the wounds of the past, but to count the blessings of peace. We have come not to remember the nightmares of the past, but to pursue the promise of peace for us and future generations. Our Country is on the path towards full peace, justice towards the weak, prosperity of all": said Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, in an interreligious pilgrimage meeting attended by all major religious leaders of Mynamar.
"In this sacred journey, my dear brothers and sisters, we have come to celebrate our unity in diversity and to deny those who see religions as a cause of conflict". In a land that is "very religious and spiritual", the cradle of Theravada Buddhism, "the testimony of religious leaders has a lasting impact on the lives of our people", the Cardinal recalls.
Archbishop Bo cites the great contribution of Buddhism in spreading values as compassion and mercy: "There are almost 500,000 monks in this country who can spread Buddha's message of compassion. There are 70,000 Buddhist Sisters. Other religions such as our Catholic Church have more than 2,500 nuns and 700 priests. Every day, those who choose religious life have a great opportunity to spread the message of simplicity, service and sharing".
The pilgrimage-meeting", explains the Cardinal, brings together "religious leaders who are committed in dialogue and peace, religious people who seek the good of all".
"Peace is the way, peace is the only way. Let us help one another to cure and heal the wounds", he noted, recalling that in the Christian tradition, "peace is born from justice and matures in love". "Building and promoting peace is part of our traditions of faith. The birth of Christ was announced with the message 'Peace to all men' and when Jesus resuscitated he had only one message: Peace!"
Cardinal Bo recalls the painful passages of Myanmar's history marked by conflicts, refugees, slavery, oppression, observing that the democratic path can not disregard from peace and reiterated that "religions in this country want peace and want to work with State actors in order to build lasting peace". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/5/2017)


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