EUROPE/ITALY - Interreligious prayer for Myanmar: Buddhists and Christians call for peace

Milan (Agenzia Fides) - "This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness and who wishes to attain the State of Peace and Wisdom. Let one be capable, upright, exceedingly upright, easy to instruct, gentle, and humble. Let one be content, not a burden to others but easily supported, with but few responsibilities, and living simply, with the senses composed and serene, let one be prudent, courteous,
not proud or demanding, unswayed by the emotions of others; and let one not commit the slightest wrong for which the wise would later reprove". Thus begins the "Metta-Sutta" ("speech on universal benevolence") recited today in the Cathedral of Milan by Buddhist monks and faithful alongside priests, nuns and lay Catholics who, under the auspices of the diocese of Milan and with the presence of Archbishop Mgr. Mario Delpini, organized an interreligious prayer meeting dedicated to Myanmar, inviting people to pray for peace and brotherhood.
The appointment, in the Cathedral of Milan at 12.30, is broadcast live on TV and on the web. The moment of prayer follows a request from the Burmese Community in Italy which, after writing to the Archbishop, met in the Archbishopric with Monsignor Luca Bressan, Episcopal Vicar for Culture, Charity, Mission and Social Action, in order to structure the meeting, in which not only Burmese from all over Italy are involved, but also priests and nuns who have been present in Milan for many years and other parts of the country. A choice, explains Mgr. Bressan, "to strengthen the chain of prayer that is being raised throughout the world so that in Myammar the situation of tension and war may come to an end, and that the Burmese people return to live in a climate of peace and brotherhood. The spiral of violence no longer seems to have brakes, as we can see from the images of the church bombed and turned into a place of death this week, after having been a place of asylum and refuge".
The Burmese community is led by Thuzar Lin, already among the organizers of the day of May 2, when several Burmese living in Italy participated in a demonstration in Milan in favor of the government of national unity, formed in the diaspora in mid- April after the military coup of February 1.
"I want to express our common desire to unite and shake hands with prayer, to manifest together the true soul and essence of our religions - says Thuzar to Agenzia Fides - because in this way we create dialogue and inner exchange, which nourishes and enriches us.
Let's gather our thoughts and ask for help today to clearly stand up for justice. Let us pray together for all those who can strengthen peace through their decisions and that each of us is personally committed to peace and freedom where we live".
Lin, a representative of the Lombard Burmese community, stresses: "Prayer for peace is very important for all religions. Peace is indeed necessary not only for Myanmar but also for all the countries of the world".
"With the Archbishop - concludes Mgr. Bressan - we will all pray that these words are banned from the heart of every man: division, hatred, war! Lord, disarm our tongue and hands, renew our hearts and minds, so that the word that unites us may always be 'brother', and may the style of our lives become: shalom, peace, salam!", concludes Mgr Bressan.
The Buddhist monks present at the meeting are Ashin Mahapanna, Venerable Kusalananda and Venerable Gnanatilaka. (MG-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 29/5/2021)

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