Thai Church proposes uniting religious leaders for mediation effort

(May 17, 2010) Worried that the continuing violence between the army and protesters is destroying the country, the Catholic Church of Thailand is urging that religious leaders explore ways to salvage the nation. At this tragic point, while the sides have lost mutual trust and launch serious accusations at each other, while violence overtakes the streets of Bangkok, with deaths and injuries, "an intervention of religious leaders might help to explore new avenues of dialogue and mediation, and provide a peaceful solution to the crisis," Archbishop Louis Chamniern of Thare and Nonseng and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand told Fides news agency. Leaders of Buddhist, Christian and Muslim communities, who met a month ago, had publicly expressed support for the common initiatives for dialogue and reconciliation. “We can never tire of stressing that the only way out is through dialogue,” Archbishop Chamniern said, adding, “we need to lay down arms and abandon the violent solution to the crisis.” Noting that neither of the factions is considering the rest of the Thai population and the common good, the archbishop said, "This is why we religious leaders are willing to offer our assistance and we could play a mediating role between the parties, if we are involved.” The archbishop said that since “at this time the population places greater confidence in religious leaders than in political leaders,” they would be ready to take the field and start working for the good of the country to stop further bloodshed.