As Catholics in Buddhist-majority Myanmar observed Palm Sunday, funerals were held in many cities and towns, after at least 114 people, including children, were killed by the military on 27 March.
It was the bloodiest day since the I February coup. “Bloody Saturday” drew condemnation from US President Joe Biden, describing the killing of pro-democracy protesters as, “absolutely outrageous.” The EU mission in Myanmar said: “It’s a day of terror and dishonour.” Tom Andrews, UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, accused the junta of “mass murder” and suggested it be cut off from funding such as oil and gas revenues, and from access to weapons.
The military has killed more than 450 people and detained at least 2,000 over the past two months. Bishop John Saw Yaw Han, auxiliary in Yangon, called on Catholics to pray for peace in Myanmar. “As Christians, we need to practice the way of justice and at the same time we need to fight against injustice,” he said in a homily on 28 March. “God is at our side in every affliction, in every fear; no evil, no sin will ever have the final word,” Pope Francis said in a Mass on Palm Sunday. He has called on Myanmar’s military to end the bloodshed and pursue dialogue.
On 24 March Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, told young people spearheading the pro-democracy movement that he supports non-violent efforts to restore democracy. The 73-year-old cardinal and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences said he was “heartbroken and frustrated” by the violence faced by young protestors. “I believe we will reach our goal through perseverance despite the journey being tough and facing more bloodshed,” reflected Sr Ann Rose Nu Tawng from Myitkyina who knelt in the road to plead with security forces not to harm civilians.
On 27 March, Thailand’s Catholic bishops sent a message of solidarity to the people of Myanmar, lamenting, “the pain inflicted on a peace-loving people who only demand democracy and their just rights.” Last Monday, there were reports of thousands of ethnic Karen fleeing to Thailand following military airstrikes the previous day in Karen state.
Loading ...
