Yangon (AsiaNews) – Many Catholic students and a few priests are among the throngs of people marching in defiance of the bans imposed by Myanmar’s ruling military junta, local sources told AsiaNews. Myanmar’s bishops released a statement a few days ago calling on the country’s 600,000 Catholics to pray for the people of Burma and for national reconciliation.

In the message they urged priests to avoid being directly involved in demonstrations but told lay people to work for the good of the country as best they could.

In the last few days rosary prayers have been recited in the evening just before curfew.

In Yangon and Mandalay Catholic students from secondary schools and universities have marched with the population.

Some priests have also visited Buddhist monks to express their support for what they are doing.

“The history of the Burmese Church is one of martyrs,” said one faithful. “We are not afraid of risking our lives for our country.”

Other sources told AsiaNews that despite the curfew and the ban on gatherings of more than five people, Burmese are determined to keep marching until a breach is made in the lack of freedom and dialogue imposed by the junta.

“People are desperate, especially because of the untenable economic situation,” they explained. “Families have no money for rice; there is neither power nor gas. The military is everywhere and it is scaring us, but they won’t stop us. Our monks, exhausted by marching and soldiers’ violence, move us and drive us to continue the fight.”