The leader of the Catholic Church in Myanmar has called on his nation to urgently “heal the wounds, seek comprehensive reconciliation” and “repay hatred with redemptive love”.
In a Christmas message released on 25 December, Cardinal Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, said that war and “narratives of hatred” are bleeding the nation economically, socially and politically, making it one of the poorest countries in the world despite being rich in resources.
Pope Francis on his recent visit had tasked the nation to build peace with love, Cardinal Bo said.
“Genuine Peace is built on Love. This is the message of Pope Francis’ visit. Compassionate love needs to become the common religion of this nation. Religions need to come together for peace,” he said.
Myanmar’s first cardinal denounced the exploitation of the country’s natural resources by “corporates and nearby countries”, singling out a controversial dam being built on the Irrawaddy river.
On 14 December, Cardinal Bo had urged Kachins to protest against the Chinese-financed Myitsone Dam, a massive hydroelectric power development project on Irrawaddy, saying it could destroy the economy and social fabric of the community. Local people are angry over the fact that 90 percent of the dam’s electricity is expected to go to China.
The 69-year old cardinal said that Irrawaddy “is a sacred river to the people of Myanmar”.
“To make her a commodity and sell her very womb as a dam is to wound her, deprive thousands of her sons and daughters their very livelihood,” he said.
“Exploitation of resources is the main cause for our wounds, wars, mutual hatred and displacement,” Cardinal Bo warned.
Calling Christmas a season of hope, he said the faithful must together “visualise a nation of hope.”
Pope Francis made history by becoming the first pope to visit Myanmar, spending three days in the country between 27-30 November.
Loading ...
