It has been just over a month and half since Myanmar’s government was ousted by the military. Mass protests have followed in response to the coup, which the military have ruthlessly suppressed. Cardinal Bo, president of Myanmar’s Bishop’s Conference, has issued a statement calling for peace and reaffirming the Church’s commitment to peace.

By ACN Staff

On Sunday 14th March, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the president of Myanmar’s Bishop’s Conference, issued a statement to appeal for peace in Myanmar. The same day that the cardinal issued his statement up to 50 people were killed by police and soldiers who were suppressing widespread protest. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone onto the streets in order to protest the military coup in February, during which the military overthrew the democratically elected government representatives. Many are fearful that Myanmar, only after allowing some democratic elections for a few years, will return to military dictatorship.

The violence on Sunday was the single deadliest day of the current unrest in Myanmar. The Burma’s Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has reported that since the 1st of February, when the military seized full control, at least 126 people have been killed by police and soldiers suppressing protests. The cardinal in his statement asked for all political actors in Myanmar to strive for peace. He acknowledged that the country has gone through a lot in the last few weeks, but that the crisis should not and can not be solved by bloodshed and violence. The cardinal included this moving plea:

“The killings must stop at once. So many have perished.”

It is believed that China has provided support for the military coup. After arson attacks on Chinese-owned factories in Myanmar’s capital Yangon, curfews have been declared in much of the city. The majority of Sunday’s deaths occurred in the Hlaing Tharyar and Shwepyitha districts of Yangon, where the Chinese factories are located. Some have suggested that the arson attacks on the factories were actually “false flag” attacks and were not carried out by protesters but rather by agents of the military to create a justification for a harsh crackdown on the protests.

Cardinal Bo included in his statement a reference to the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who has encouraged the Church to be involved in peace making in Myanmar. Cardinal Bo stated:

“Fortified by the mandate and encouragement of the Vatican, we, the Catholic Church, commit ourselves, together with all people of good will, to the task of seeing this nation rise up again in mutual understanding and peace.”