Many Asian local churches have also expressed their closeness to the suffering people of Myanmar, who have witnessed violence, killings and imprisonment since February. Korean Cardinal Andrew Yeom soo-jung (archbishop of Seoul, South Korea) also invited the entire Catholic community, made up of 1 million people, to a prayer novena in Myanmar, which ends today, April 7.
A day of prayer was also held last March 31 organized by the Interprovincial Conference of the FMA of East Asia (CIAO in English), which includes 8 Provinces and a total of 1,110 Sisters. On this occasion, the FMA Province of Philippines and Papua New Guinea (FIL) made its digital platform available to follow the event online.
The Salesian Provinces and the Association of Salesian Cooperators of many countries belonging to the East Asia-Oceania Region responded to the appeal for prayer and solidarity. In many places, then, the prayer activity was especially intensified during the days of Holy Week.
In these difficult months for Myanmar, through the Catholic media and social networks, there are many stories of hope that follow one another. The Burmese people are showing great courage and determination, showing themselves willing to suffer for freedom and for a better future for the country.
In recent weeks, citizens' responses to violence are becoming more and more creative: drums are beaten, rubbish is unloaded in public places, the United Nations is appealed to in the streets of Yangon. All this always through the civil disobedience movement.
A few days ago, Pope Francis also shared his solidarity with the suffering people of Myanmar, whom he personally visited a few years ago. "I kneel with you in the streets of Myanmar," said the Holy Father.
Thus, the prayer for peace in this country does not stop and appeals to world leaders are growing to respond to the cry of those who suffer.
