Catholic leaders express solidarity with people suffering due military coup in Myanmar

Myanmar's Catholic leaders expressed solidarity with the suffering people due to the military coup, as the country recalls the takeover on February 1, 2021.

"We feel your pain, your suffering, your starvation. We understand your disappointment, we understand your resistance," Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon Archdiocese told Vatican News.

Cardinal Bo, the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar (CBCM), told those who "believe only in violent resistance, we say 'there are other means'."

"We have constantly urged for dialogue, the release of the detained, greater freedom of expression and respect for basic human rights of all," the Cardinal said, urgently calling for humanitarian access to the affected millions.

In his message for the anniversary of the coup, Cardinal Bo lamented the "deep crisis marked by a visceral threat to life and livelihood."

"Enough is enough. It is a time for healing, the people and the country cannot bear any more pain and violence," Cardinal Bo said.

Cardinal Bo, the president of the Federation of the Asian Bishop's Conferences, expressed prayerful hope that peace and reconciliation is possible.

"Peace is possible; peace is the only way," the prelate said.

Noting that Christians have "suffered heavily" under the coup, Cardinal Bo expressed the Church's closeness to them in their "Way of the Cross."

"But as a Church and as Christians, we follow the direction of Pope Francis," he said.

Cardinal Bo invites  people  to "become the wounded healer, be an instrument of peace, let us light a candle of hope amidst the frustrating darkness."

Archbishop of Marco Tin Win of Mandalay said, "Many people in Mandalay, Loikaw, and Chin states are fleeing due to conflicts. They are away from sacraments and cannot receive them."

Archbishop Tin Win said that  even "the churches, clergy houses and convents are not secure anymore.

Archbishop Tin Win encourages "not to lose faith and continue to pray for peace for Myanmar."

Mandalay archdiocesan Catholic priest said, "Unity is important."

The priest quoted a Myanmar saying, "When oxen are in separation, they are eaten by tigers. So now in Myanmar, we need unity."

Pauline Shwe, a Catholic woman parishioner, stated, "I feel stressed, afraid and sorrow with no relief of mind. The feeling is that I do not know what to do in despair. I just rely on God who has an answer for us."

Dorothy, a Catholic youth, confessed, "I feel sorry. Since the coup took place, I am not happy until now. I want to end this (coup) time. I want to get back the situation before the coup happens except for Covid-19. I want peace to be restored."

"I miss the freedom of travel without fear, of communication, of internet browsing, and the quick loading of internet connection," said Father Raymond Kyaw Aung, a priest from Myanmar.

Ms. Paula, a young parishioner, said, "I strongly believe that we will finally prevail by entrusting our conflicts to God."