ASIA/MYANMAR – Auxiliary Bishop of Yangon: “national dialogue is the only path to peace”

Yangon – “Our goal is to promote a national dialogue everywhere to find a way out of the conflict that has been going on for four years and is causing great suffering for the entire nation, for people’s livelihoods, for education, for the economy, and for the future of young people. Myanmar is trapped by this internal violence. Today, dialogue is the only solution for a perspective of ceasefire and peace; and to initiate it, external mediators and facilitators are needed as international actors,” says Francis Than Htun, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Yangon, in an interview with Fides.
The bishop is in the city controlled by the military junta in the center of the country, where there is no heavy fighting. Nevertheless, the effects of the war are felt: “In the pastoral area entrusted to me, there are 14 parishes, all of which are affected in some way by the phenomenon of internally displaced people who continue to arrive here from conflict zones, the peripheries of the country. We are living in this dramatic situation, and all we can do is offer welcome and comfort.”
“The displaced,” he reports, “come in search of safety; many find help from relatives or friends; others have no other sources of contact and wander around in search of temporary shelter. The Catholic community’s response is one of solidarity and humanitarian aid; it is a response of proximity.” “It is not easy to live in this environment marked by injustice and violence, to find oneself between the warring parties,” explains Bishop Francis Than Htun. “As bishops, we must maintain relations with the ruling military junta and state institutions, even just to be able to leave the country and participate in pastoral meetings of the Church in Asia or of the Holy See.” “This does not mean that we endorse a state of war or are close to the military power; it is simply a functional necessity,” he emphasizes. “Our compass,” he continues, “remains the Church’s social teaching: We seek to act responsibly for the good of the People of God and to promote peace for the entire people of Myanmar. The principle of justice inspires us to be close to those in need, the weakest, most vulnerable, and sick, those most affected by the current conflict. For this reason, priests are also constantly striving to assist the displaced and provide them with material and spiritual assistance.” “I have seen firsthand during my visits to the sick how important our closeness is to listen, encourage, and bless. In the difficult situation Myanmar finds itself in today, this is our mission,” the bishop emphasizes. “Amidst suffering and in the face of very difficult challenges, we see a vibrant and strong faith,” he affirms. “The faithful demonstrate resilience in the face of evil. We experienced the Jubilee, which reminded us once again of the word ‘hope,’ which we pronounce especially with our young people in mind. We often ask ourselves how we can keep the flame of hope alive in young people whom we sometimes see discouraged and who therefore want to leave the country.” “Every day we ask ourselves: How can we do God’s will? What can we do in these circumstances?” Bishop Francis Than Htun concluded, “The answer is: to hope in the Lord and praise him, to continue to pray and remain in communion with other faithful around the world, so that they may support us with their prayers for peace; and so that we too may remember the many other conflict zones around the world where fighting is taking place and people are dying.”

Read original article