Reconciliation and Freedom for Burmese Catholics: Abp of Yangon
December 26, 2012: Christians in Burma, and especially young people, this Christmas
expect "above all peace, joy, prosperity and reconciliation"; celebrations are going
ahead "without difficulty" and "permits are no longer needed as in the past", which
is why there are "positive signs" in terms of " religious freedom", said Charles Bo,
Archbishop of Yangon, economic and trade capital of Myanmar. "The message is encapsulated
in the motto 'The power of empty hands' and demonstrates "the power of great people
in history" who won the hearts of the people, like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa
"without the use of force". The child born in a cradle, had nothing in his hands."
Msgr.
Bo recently participated in the 10th General Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops,
which took place in Vietnam from 11 to 16 December. He then returned to Myanmar to
prepare for Christmas celebrations, waiting for with joy and trepidation by the Catholic
community in Yangon. "It is a gift of God to man," said the bishop, speaking of the
feast day, and every believer is called to "share what they have with the poor and
marginalized" in the name "of hope and forgiveness." A powerful God, he added, was
made flesh "in the body of a newborn baby" who appeared apparently "vulnerable and
defenseless" so that all of us "could love him and love our brothers."
On these
Sundays of Advent the Church of Myanmar prepared intense moments of prayer and liturgies
with a desire for reconciliation. Young people are animated by missionary vocation
and, said the prelate, go to "share the good news in the form of Christmas carols."
The faithful are waiting impatiently for the midnight mass, which in some parishes
starts earlier so that those who wish to can participate "in two or three different
masses in different churches."
Christmas celebrations mark the end of a year
full of changes in the country, which has left behind decades under a military regime
to open up to the international community. Parliament also welcomed the historic opposition
leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. "The Church shares in this work
of nation building," says Msgr. Bo and feels "close to the people of Myanmar." This
year we do not need special permits to celebrate the Mass and this "is a good sign
in terms of religious freedom".