Archbishop of Yangon: A Christmas of reconciliation and freedom for Burmese Catholics
Yangon (AsiaNews) - 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". So says Msgr. Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, economic and trade capital of Myanmar, speaking to AsiaNews of the expectation of Catholics for Christmas. "The message - the prelate continues - 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," says 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 adds, 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".
The bishop will preside over the midnight mass at Saint Mary's Cathedral, in Yangon, to which "I invited several ambassadors and diplomatic representatives. Some of them have even confirmed their presence." Tomorrow, December 25, the feast of Christmas, the archdiocese and the Council of Churches [Protestants] will join for a prayer service and lunch at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of Yangon. The event will be attended by the Minister for Religious Affairs and the governor of the region, although we also invited President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi. The Nobel Peace Laureate is travelling, says Msgr. Bo, but "we hope she can join us on December 25th at our Christmas lunch and prayer."
The Archbishop of Yangon, in these hours of Christmas Eve, wants to share with the faithful of the universal Church a Christmas message. "History celebrates powerful leaders, emperors, dictators and kings" whose hands are full of "wealth, power, weapons and followers." However, they are not remembered with "love and admiration" by their people. "They conquered lands - says Msgr. Bo - but they have not conquered the hearts of the people." This is Christmas message is contained in the "Power of empty hands," like those of "a child born in a stable," who, however, was able to touch the hearts of "billions of people. Wealth, career, properties or knowledge do not give absolute power, but only the love of the baby Jesus, who loves us unconditionally. "
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