ASIA/MYANMAR - Call of the Bishops to end violence and Message from the Holy See in favor of the promotion of peace

Monday, 15 March 2021 peace religious leader violence bishops

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Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - "Strengthened by the mandate and encouragement of the Holy See, we Catholic Churches commit ourselves, together with all people of good will, to the task of seeing this nation rise again in mutual understanding and peace". This is what the Bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar affirm in a text that was sent yesterday, March 14, to all the Dioceses of the nation and to political, religious and civil society leaders. The text contains a heartfelt appeal to stop all violence and makes public a message from the Holy See wishing the country to find a path of peace.
The text, signed by Cardinal Charlea Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and President of the Catholic Bishops 'Conference of Myanmar, as well as President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) reads: "As leader of the Catholic Church of Myanmar, we wish you all peace. We urge all parties in Myanmar to seek peace. In recent weeks we have faced great challenges as a nation. This crisis will not be solved through bloodshed. Seek peace. The killings must stop immediately. There are so many deaths. The blood shed is not the blood of enemies. It is the blood of our sisters and brothers, of our citizens.
We are a nation with a dream. Our young people have lived in hope. Let us not become a nation of senseless disappointment. Stop killing. Stop the violence. Leave the path of atrocities. Make sure that all the innocent are released. They are part of our people".
The text of the Bishops then makes public and reports the message that the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sent to reiterate the messages of Pope Francis addressed to Myanmar. In particular, the message of the Holy See "encourages the Church to engage in the peace process", say the Bishops of the country, noting that the text "reaffirms the Pope's fraternal solidarity with all the people of Myanmar" and expresses "in his name his feelings of solidarity with the people of Myanmar".
In Cardinal Parolin's Message, Pope Francis' recent interventions are recalled (during the Angelus on Sunday 7 February and in the Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Vatican, on 8 February), in which the Pope hopes to "serve the common good, promoting social justice and national stability for a harmonious democratic coexistence", and calls for "the aspirations of the people of Myanmar not to be suffocated by violence".
In his letter - indicate the Bishops of Myanmar - Cardinal Parolin recalled that during his visit to Myanmar in 2017, the Pope had met all interested parties, affirming that the Supreme Pontiff considers this country with great affection. Recalling the sentiments of the Pope, Cardinal Parolin encourages Church leaders in Myanmar to meet General Min Aung Hlaing, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of civil and religious society to seek a path of peace.
"The Cardinal asked that the Church of Myanmar transmit the Pope's concern and love for this nation. The Secretary of State further asks that this message be transmitted to all the aforementioned actors and urges us to unite to find the greatest good for all, above all to satisfy the hopes and guarantee the dignity of our young generations", indicates the message of the Episcopate.
"Peace is possible; peace is the only possible way. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, asks that the entire Catholic community in Myanmar does not spare efforts in favor of peace", he concludes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 15/3/2021)