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Yangon: online video of Aung San Suu Kyi-Card Martino meeting
The prelate praises the Nobel Prize laureate’s courage to fight for peace, renews invitation to continue working for Myanmar’s good. A long applause welcomes her arrival at St Mary’s Cathedral for the church’s centennial celebration. The pro-democracy leader appeals to bishops to promote unity and support the path towards democracy.
Yangon (AsiaNews) – Burmese Catholics uploaded a video on Youtube, showing the meeting between pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Card Raffaele Martino, on the sidelines of the centennial celebrations of St Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon, on 8 December. The high-ranking Vatican official presided over the function as papal delegate and delivered a message from the Holy father during the Mass. The Nobel Prize laureate, who is Buddhist, attended the entire Catholic service to underscore the principle of religious freedom and the harmony among various religions in Myanmar.
Held on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception in the country’s most important Christian place of worship, the event saw the participation of Burmese government officials, local and foreign bishops, about a hundred priests, nuns and thousands of the faithful.
The video was shot by Burma VJ Media and lasts about 15 minutes. It shows the highlights of this important moment in the life of the Burmese Church. It also shows the meeting between Card Martino and Aung San Suu Kyi.
Sources told AsiaNews that the prelate praised Aung San Suu Kyi’s courage, urging her to continue her work for the good of the country and its people. The brief meeting was followed by another that included Yangon Archbishop Charles Bo.
People will remember the moment when the National League for Democracy (NLD) leader entered the cathedral, welcomed by a long applause and a series of handshakes.
Ms Suu Kyi followed the entire Mass, held in English, Burmese and, in some passages, in minority languages. Her presence bore witness to the profound value of religions as a means for dialogue and peace. At the end of the service, she greeted the prelate and shook his hand.
In recent days on several occasions, Aung San Suu Kyi urged believers of different religions to back the struggle for reform in Myanmar.
Speaking to Burmese bishops, both Catholic and Protestant, assembled at a joint meeting, she reminded them that peace is only the first step in a journey that must lead to “lasting reforms” on the path of democracy.
After meeting the prelates, 11 Catholic and 4 Protestant, she drew a parallel between peace and development, confirming that cooperation between people of different faiths is “crucial” to ensure “equal rights for all”.
For the NLD leader, development is only made possible if education is strengthened and ongoing conflicts between the Burmese military and ethnic militias end. (DS)