Myanmar bishops: ‘crying with those who cry’, seeking what is right
A few weeks before Myanmar’s ruling military junta holds forced elections in a country still at war, Catholic bishops issued a message to their people, brought to their knees by an overwhelming crisis caused by war, earthquake, and economic collapse. For the bishops, “three million [displaced] people are not just numbers;” instead, “peace is the only way”. Above all, “Let us not let hatred define us. Let us not let despair conquer us.”
Yangon (AsiaNews) – The Catholic bishops of Myanmar have recently issued a message reiterating their closeness with the people and calling for reconciliation, the starting point to truly rebuild a country affected by armed clashes, earthquake, natural disasters, and economic collapse with three million people displaced by a war with no end in sight and a whole people crushed by suffering.
The bishops’ message comes only weeks before general elections organised by the ruling military junta for 28 December and 11 January. However, the vote is far from being a real exercise of democracy in a country where the leaders of the political party that won the 2021 elections remain in prison and many areas of the country are under the control of rebel militias.
We publish below, the full text of the message released yesterday by the bishops of Myanmar.
Dear brothers and sisters in Myanmar and abroad,
In these times of great pain, uncertainty, and confusion, we may not be here in person, but we are with you in spirit. From north to south, from east to west, our beloved country is facing a crisis unprecedented in history. This is not a single tragedy. It is a collective crisis, as experts define it.
Emergencies are piling up, one bad situation creating another. We are living in the midst of wars, natural disasters, displacement, economic collapse, and social disintegration. For many of us, the days are long and the nights are long.
Human trauma - displacement and trauma
Let us begin with the most heartbreaking thing in our lives: the human suffering. According to the United Nations, three million Burmese people have been displaced from their homes since the conflict began. These three million people are not just numbers. They are human beings, fathers, mothers, and children. Some are living in the forest under trees, some in the fields, some in monasteries, and some in tents. They have no food, no security, and no education. In the areas hit by the earthquake, entire villages have been destroyed.
There have been collapses. Buildings have collapsed. Lives have been lost in seconds. Cities and villages in conflict areas have been reduced to rubble. Some people have had to flee their homes multiple times, while others have been forced to move from one place to another, then often to another, in what they thought was a safe place. They have carried with them some of their belongings, as well as fear and trauma.
The silent suffering of women and children
In times of war and disaster, women and children bear the heaviest burdens. Many children have been out of school for years. Their classrooms are in ruins, their future is uncertain. Some have lost their parents. Others have witnessed violence firsthand. Many are hungry, their health is failing, and they cannot express how much they are suffering. Many women are also crying silently. They are grieving for their families, caring for orphaned children, and fearing abuse. Sometimes they are raising their children in the open, without shelter, without medical care. In the face of these hardships, they are raising their families, cooking for the common people, praying silently in the dark, and comforting the bereaved.
Lack of understanding among key stakeholders
Dear friends, one of the deepest wounds we see is a lack of understanding and trust between key actors and stakeholders. There are many sides, many perspectives, many needs. But there is very little dialogue. There are few real spaces where hearts can listen to each other.
As a result, aid is blocked, development is delayed, and humanitarian assistance is restricted. Sometimes civilians who are not on either side are caught in the middle of the conflict and suffer all sorts of consequences. Young people who once wanted to learn, find jobs, and build a better future are now filled with fear, anger, and despair. They are filled with weakness. Their talents have been wasted, their hopes have been buried. Some have fled the country, while others are silently grieving.
Living with daily difficulties
For ordinary people, everyday life is a test of survival. Across the country, prices are skyrocketing, jobs are scarce, fuel and medicine are scarce, and electricity is intermittent. Heartbreak is a constant companion for every family.
Fear and panic are also deeply rooted. But people are helping each other. They are empty-handed but full of hearts, showing compassion and support.
The Christian path to harmony and peace
As a Christian who walks in faith, I have questions to ask. “Where do we go from here?” “How can we stop wars?” “Will we rise up together and shout, ‘Let there be no more war in the world?’” Christianity does not offer easy ways to escape suffering. But it does offer a quiet path that leads to reconciliation, healing, and lasting peace.
In 2 Corinthians 5:18, Paul reminds us, “God has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” This ministry is not just a religious duty; it is a human duty. Reconciliation is not about forgetting about problems and pretending that everything is fine. Reconciliation is about listening to each other's life stories, crying with those who cry. It is about trying to find the right things for everyone, without sacrificing the well-being of one person for the well-being of another.
Christ himself said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Peace is not a lifeless state of inaction, nor is it a state of silence. Peace is something that is alive, a choice of life over death, of honor over revenge, of commitment to family over loneliness.
A message of hope
This is not the time to give up. This is the time to work deeper. We must find the jewel of hope in the ashes of sorrow. Peace is possible, peace is the only way. Let us not let hatred define us. Let us not let despair conquer us. Let us simply carry out our actions with the principles of “compassion in action, truth in gentleness, and peace without rest.”
May our country, torn apart by so many wounds, rise again. May it be revived with new hearts, not just buildings. May the voices of our children and grandchildren echo, "They did not give up on bringing peace, so we could return home."
May God bless you and great Myanmar.
Myanmar bishops
.png)
