Myanmar - Religious freedom and peace: the challenges facing the country

18 October 2016

(ANS - Yangon) - "Freedom to believe and follow one’s conscience in determining one's faith is a sacred principle that is violated in Asia at the present time, not only in theocratic societies, but also in democratic countries where there are persecutions against minorities.”  So said the Salesian Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, speaking at the launch of a book on the situation of religious minorities in Asian countries.

"Asia is the mother of the great religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. But today religious intolerance, which is a poison in society, is on the increase in many nations such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and others.”

“In Myanmar,” he says, “some monks, in what is a parody of Buddhist teaching, are attacking especially Muslims. These movements are currently suspended, but in the country there are still extremists who promote religious hatred. They have managed to pass four laws against minorities that criminalize the freedom to choose a religion. Fortunately, the new government has handled the situation with wisdom and has silenced the extremists."

The Cardinal noted that the Church in Myanmar, "actively promotes peace, inter-religious dialogue and full cooperation in its social mission" recalling that, as it says in Dignitatis Humanae, "the person has the right to religious freedom", which includes the right of worship, practice, expression and teaching.

"Religious freedom,” said Cardinal Bo, “creates conditions for democratization, for peace, for development and for respect of human rights".

In the meantime, efforts for peace continue throughout the country, in which for years there have been guerrilla outbreaks linked to the claims of some ethnic minority groups. Myanmar's government now considers the peace process as a "top priority" and General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of the Burmese army, launched an appeal to groups that have not yet laid down their arms, asking them to sign a ceasefire at national level, before political talks begin: "i urge all groups to think of future generations and participate in the implementation of the cease-fire," he said.

Source: Fides

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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