Aung San Suu Kyi seeks Catholic support as general election nears

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is cultivating relations with Catholic groups in Myanmar’s Kayah state as her National League for Democracy party tries to win over ethnic areas in the lead up to her country’s first open general election on 8 November, writes Ellen Teague.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate met with church personnel earlier this month when she visited the state capital Loikaw. Among those present were Bishop Stephen Tjephe of Loikaw, retired Bishop Sotero Phamo of Loikaw, and British Bishop John Arnold of Salford, who was leading a retreat for priests of the diocese.

Suu Kyi has often turned to the Church to support her struggle for democracy. Her husband, Michael Aris, was a Catholic and the Church has a useful national network. She advocates integration of Myanmar’s religious traditions and ethnic groups. The election will test the Government’s commitment to political reforms.