Francis Khoo Thwe

Tens of thousands of demonstrators in many cities. Tensions only in Naypyidaw. In Mandalay, the bishop of the city went out on the street to support the demonstrators, taking up the three finger salute. Criticism of Card. Bo for his "overly neutral" and benevolent letter to the military. The Pope’s appeal broadcast, but the faithful want "a clearer declaration".

Protesters rally near Yangon University and roam the streets on motorcycles. After Facebook, Myanmar authorities block Twitter and Instagram. UN Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener is travelling to the Asian country. The junta tries to reassure foreign ambassadors and invites them to work with them.

The only signs of protest are banging pots and pans, bell ringing, people shouting, medical staff on strike. Otherwise, life goes on like before. UN Secretary General hopes the coup d'état will fail.

Soldiers control the country; internet and phones blocked. The coup d'état comes after the stunning victory of Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the elections last November. The army claims fraud. The military will force new elections within a month. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, condemns the detentions carried out by the military. United States issues condemnation, China keeps it silence.

The Archbishop of Yangon backs the pontiff and the UN secretary general who have called for an end to armed conflicts to save people from the pandemic. The prelate calls on Myanmar’s military and armed ethnic militias to favour dialogue and openness to avoid a health catastrophe. Military action by anyone will destroy the country. The cardinal slams China’s Communist Party.

President’s Office reports that Ko Ni was killed by Aung Win Khaing, a former senior army officer, in order to destabilise the country at a time of strong ethnic and sectarian tensions. Many “people continue to wonder who the true instigator is, and what is behind the murder,” source tells AsiaNews.

About 100,000 people of all religions took part in the annual pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Nyaunglebin. For Card Bo, the Queen of Peace is the only one who can bring about the miracle of unity. He calls for prayers to make this nation "more peaceful", and names six "jars" to heal the country’s wounds.

In Kachin State, a Christian nurse is raped and murdered. China and Myanmar discuss security along the latter’s northern border. International media coverage focuses on the persecution of the country’s Muslim minority. Sources tell AsiaNews that violence against "various religions and ethnic groups" tends to be obscured by that against the Rohingya. Social and political factors are at play.

At least 4 thousand people sought refuge in Chinese territory. But the Beijing authorities are continuing rejections and repulsed the displaced across the border. Caritas and international NGOs speak of a serious humanitarian crisis, calling for an end to violence and aid for civilians. Naypyidaw denies UN envoy permission to visit the war zones.

Pat Jasan anti-drug activists targeted: three workers injured by a mine, another shot dead. The group, affiliated to the Kachin Christian movements, has been banned. Myanmar is the second largest producer in the world after Afghanistan. Crops are a major business and a commodity of political exchange between the military and ethnic groups.

The Burmese bishop, who acted as papal legate at the congress in Cebu, led the final Mass of the event. In his homily, he came down hard on the attacks on the family, the basic unit of society. He also praised the Philippines, a light for evangelisation and the mission of the third millennium. The Eucharist remains the source and summit of a life commitment.

The Burmese cardinal and papal legate outlines the objectives of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, held in Cebu. In the continent “crossroads” of the world religions, the “spiritual fervor” is a resource for the mission. The support of the pinoy Catholic Church to Myanmar. The need for justice in terms of economy and environment.