Synod: Burma, blessings and challenges

(Vatican Radio) – “It is a blessing in disguise”, says Archbishop Nicholas Mang Thang, coadjutor Archbishop of Mandalay in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. He is referring to the blossoming of vocations to the priesthood and above all consecrated life among the small Catholic community in his native country, many of whom are now missionaries throughout the South East Asian region.

Speaking with Philippa Hitchen as the three week Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelisation winds down at the Vatican, the quietly spoken prelate reveals that community has grown in numbers and in faith despite decades of repression under a military dictatorship.

He says that since the expropriation of all Church property by the regime in 1962, Burmese Catholics have sought to live in such a way as to ensure their survival. This included leaving the big cities to go out and live and work alongside the poor in the countryside: “But despite all of our difficulties we take it as an opportunity to able to offer up all of our sacrifices and hardships for the universal Church. In that way we are getting a lot of vocations”.

Today there are an estimated 400 thousand Catholics in Myanmar, just 1% of the population.
The Archbishop himself co-founded a women religious congregation, called “The little way sisters of St. Therese”, who now have over 164 professed sisters. Not content with that, the energetic prelate who also heads the Burmese Bishop’s Conference Commission for Evangelisation, set up the Missionary Society of St. Therese, which has sent priests to neighbouring nations such as Cambodia, Hong Kong, and sisters on mission ad gentes.

Archbishop Mang Thang says the community is now facing new challenges as the nation tentatively takes its first steps on the road towards fuller democracy. These include establishing more concrete official ties with the new government and strengthening dialogue with other religions, particularly the majority Buddhist religion.

“The government and Buddhists have a good respect for the Church, although they may not say it officially. We have freedom of religion, but there are still restrictions on building places of worship. But in general, they are very cooperative with our work, especially in the work of Caritas Burma". The Churches charity arm is one of the most active organisations reaching out to the different ethnic minorities, particularly those affected by ongoing tensions in the Kachin State.

“After this election we are working together to try to build peace in the nation”. It is he says a question of creative dialogue with both the government and other faith communities. “After 50 years of dictatorship and socialism it is not easy to change. But we are trying our best. Aung San Suu Kyi has also given us a lot of hope. And her good relations with the President is promising. She has also come to speak with the bishops. But these things take time”.


Listen to the full interview: