Archbishop of Yangon: Audience with Pope, a source of strength and guidance for Aung San Suu Kyi
Rome ( AsiaNews) - Deep "consensus" on key issues such as "the culture of encounter" and interfaith dialogue: this is how Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi described this morning's meeting between Pope Francis and the democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The audience was held in private in the Papal Library and the director of the Press Office of the Holy See spoke of a "cordial meeting" and " great harmony " between the Pope and the Burmese Nobel Peace Prize winner, whom he described as "a figure of great authority and importance in the Asian world". The Pope expressed "his appreciation" said Fr . Lombardi , for the lady's commitment in the development of democracy in her nation, "ensuring the Church's commitment to this cause," without discrimination , because "the Church is at the service of all."
During the press conference with Italian Foreign Minister, the leader of the National League for Democracy declined to comment on her audience with Pope Francis, who prays for Myanmar and appreciates the "Lady's" contribution to democracy and peace. "The Holy Father - said Suu Kyi - told me that emotions such as hatred and fear diminish the life and value of the people", so "we have to enhance love and understanding to improve the lives of peoples."
Today's meeting between Pope
Francis and Aung San Suu Kyi is a reason for joy and satisfaction among Burmese
Catholics. This is confirmed
by the Archbishop of Yangon Msgr. Charles
Bo, who says that the "Lady" plays a leading role "in the
context of interreligious dialogue and "calming violence" between
Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar. Today's meeting, said the prelate, is a
source of "strength and
guidance" for the Burmese leader.
Aung
San Suu Kyi arrived for the first time in Italy yesterday, in the context of a
European tour during which she finally received the Sakharov Prize that was
awarded to her 23 years ago in Strasbourg. Last
night in Rome's city hall, Suu Kyi was awarded honorary Roman citizenship -
which she was originally awarded in 1994 - and the Rome Peace Prize - awarded in
2007. In
both cases, the Nobel Laureate was under house arrest by order of the military
dictatorship in Burma , in power until the end of 2010.
Commenting
to AsiaNews about the meeting between Pope Francis and the Nobel Laureate , the
Archbishop of Yangon pointed out that "for both the event is a source of
enthusiasm and encouragement." The
prelate said the deep "humanity" of the Argentine Pope is an element
"of strength and guidance" for the NLD leaders. "Meeting
the Pope , a popular and beloved religious leader - he adds - will further
strengthen the reputation and popularity of Aung San Suu Kyi", who participated
in the celebrations for the centenary of Saint Mary's Cathedral Yangon in
December 2011.
Msgr . Charles
Bo affirms that the "Lady " plays " a major role in
interreligious dialogue "and her work is essential to "calming the
violence between Buddhists and Muslims" in Myanmar , but Aung San Suu Kyi
at the moment is still "reticent to make statements of any kind"
in this regards . "
I think both [ Buddhist and Muslim ] fronts - says the prelate - each have
their own rights and legitimate concerns . You can only make general comments
and refrain from taking net positions in the matter" . And
this is even more true about the "civil war" between the government army and
ethnic Kachin militias , in the homonymous state in northern Myanmar , along
the border with China. "Everyone
has their own reasons, not to seek a permanent ceasefire ."
Aung
San Suu Kyi - who has spent 15 of the last 22 years under house arrest for her
fight against the brutal dictatorship imposed by the Burmese military junta -
remains a point of reference for the people of Myanmar , regardless of the
religion they profess. "
Like most of the country, the Burmese Catholics , priests, men and women
religious , lay people and bishops also have great respect for her and support
her". After going through a "dark tunnel 50 years long" dotted with
repression and violence, now "a new dawn has arisen and she is the only
credible person, to date, for the leadership of the country," adds the
prelate. "I
do not have a lot of faith or confidence - Msgr. Bo confides - in the former
army generals. But, since the situation is still uncertain, full of challenges
and opportunities, we must be very careful. And move with extreme caution".
.png)
17/03/2021 13:08
04/12/2007
