Archbishop of Yangon: Mission is encounter with God in others
Vienna ( AsiaNews) - Today's missionary is one who
is ready to encounter. Encounter the footsteps of God in others", said the
Archbishop of Yangon Msgr. Charles
Bo , in his homily for the Mass of 20 October, the 87th World Mission Sunday
that the Catholic Church celebrated all over the world. In
his message, Pope Francis recalled that mission means "we must step outside
our own confines" and reach out even to non-Christians , an even more
urgent and pressing invitation for the Catholic Burmese, a minority in a
country where the majority of the population is Buddhist. The
Argentine Pope adds that we must bring forth a dimension that is "not proselytizing
or violence," but brings " the most important gift , faith ." In
this sense, the contribution to peace and coexistence of Burmese Catholics can
be crucial in a country theater - over the last two years - of serious
inter-religious and sectarian violence .
"World
Mission Day is a source of grace, " said the Archbishop of Yangon ,
according to whom it is " through the process of encounter between human
beings " that we "adore the spirit that resides in each of us ."
The
prelate, these days in Europe, expressed his hope that the Mission Day may be
"a source of peace" and is invitation to become "missionaries
for ourselves and for others" , encountering "oppressed humanity ."
Archbishop
Bo remembers the many missionaries "from different European countries ,
who have come "to Myanmar : " The Barnabites , the MEP , PIME and many others,
religious and lay persons. They knew how to work - adds the prelate - under the
most difficult conditions "
to proclaim the word of God and to" bring dignity to the oppressed peoples
. "
The
Burmese Catholics are a very small percentage of the total (just over 1% ) ,
but their presence and their work towards unity and peace is crucial in a
country marked by inter- ethnic conflicts and clashes . Often,
being a Christian is a "source of identity" for many tribes (e.g. the
Karen and Kachin minorities ) but it must be a source of encounter and not
divisive factor . "The
missionary of today - adds the Archbishop of Yangon - is a person who is open to
encounter", to meet "the fingerprints of God in others." A
task that needs to be marked by "compassion" towards others, as
evidenced by the tireless work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta , who saw the encounter
with the poor and sick "the greatest element " of witness and mission
" of the modern era . "
The
prelate also confirms a trend that is becoming more pronounced. "Until
50 years ago, Europe evangelized the rest of the world. Today hundreds from
every corner of the earth are going to Europe . Encounter with these cultures,
brings a breath of fresh air and a renewed vigor for our churches. "Today, "the young Churches of Africa
, Asia and Latin America are the trend evangelization " Mgr . Bo,
who thanked Pope Francis whose " words and gestures gave new strength to
the world," becoming the "pastor of the global village ."
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