Card Bo: Easter and democracy break forth like a river
In his Easter message, the archbishop of Yangon notes that God’s triumph at Easter brings hope to Myanmar after 50 years of darkness. As Catholics play a role of change in the new democracy, “Today we see another resurrection: Resurrection of hope in a frail woman: Aung San Sui Kyi.”
Yangon (AsiaNews) – Card Charles Maung Bo issued his Easter message to the faithful in Yangon, and the people of Myanmar, a country that has recently experienced historic political changes: from the November 2015 elections won by the National League for Democracy, to the election of the first non-military president after 50 years of military rule.
“Easter breaks forth like a river in the long desert,” the cardinal says in his statement. “It is a very special Easter today for the people of Myanmar. The river of democracy is slowly spreading its splendour in the long desert of hopelessness. We, people of Myanmar, today celebrate Easter with signs of resurrection around us.
"This is the season of hope. In this world of suffocating darkness of hope, history proves that resurrection is the hope that continues in the human hearts and in human history. History is full of men who brought this hope of resurrection through their noble acts;” men like Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela; and last but not least, General Aung San, father of Aung San Suu Kyi, who died in 1947. “Even before the dawn of freedom, his blood was spilled. [. . .] Myanmar is today can claim to be a nation because of the blood of Aung San.”
For the archbishop of Yangon, Christ’s death and resurrection are the paradigm of his country’s recent history. "Christ who was killed on the Cross, through his blood has washed the sins of humanity. [. . .] by his wounds you were healed."
“Today we see another resurrection: Resurrection of hope in a frail woman: Aung San Sui Kyi. She was also raised on the tree of suffering, for more than 15 years in the jail. Darkness was penetrating Myanmar for more than 50 years. Daw Aung San Sui Kyi’s suffering and her fortitude amidst the suffering has brought the resurrection of freedom.
“This nation was crucified on the cross of injustice. Refugees, unsafe migrants, war affected people, the poor, drug victims and human trafficking victims. How can we forget hundreds of our countrymen and women who languished in jails or those who gave their life for the freedom of this country.”
Myanmar was wounded several times. “The preferential treatment of one religion (i.e. Buddhism) in this country from 1956 [onward] was the first wound. The ill treatment of other religions have caused chronic conflicts and displacements.
“In the 1960s, an arrogant military power snatched the educational institutions ran by Christians. Christians were targeting the poor and those in the margin for education.” Now "The Church is prepared to demand, or at least request the return of nationalised schools” by the military junta, Card Bo said in a recent interview with AsiaNews.
As the country moves on, putting its tragic past behind, with a democratic government in power, Christians have a duty to carry forward a message of mercy.
“The Year of Mercy is a clarion call,” the cardinal said. “The Pope calls us to be merciful with ourselves. Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful (Lk 6:36). For many of us buried in the tomb of guilt and sin, Pope Francis is calling us to return to the Lord in forgiveness. ‘No sin is greater than God’s mercy,’ says the Holy Father. Forgiving others, reconciling with those whom we wounded and adopting a positive attitude are signs of people of Resurrection.”
From Easter, the Catholic community must draw the strength to "contribute towards nation-building through peace and reconciliation, human development through education and affirmation of the rights of our indigenous brothers and sisters.
“As a Catholic Community we need to be signs of hope to this nation. We were persecuted; we were buried in the tombs of poverty, oppression and denial of rights. For many of us, it has been a long way of the Cross. We were Good Friday people; sometimes doubting whether there was a Holy Saturday. We even wondered whether there would be an Easter Sunday in this country. But God is God of History. He speaks through the signs of times. I strongly believe that Myanmar’s resurrection from its painful past is occurring.
“Yes, my dear brothers and sisters, as Easter people let us assume this role of moving mountains of human tragedies and bring hope to a new Myanmar of peace, prosperity and fellowship. Be the people of faith and hope! Let us move mountains!”
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17/03/2021 13:08
04/12/2007
