YANGON: 6 December 2011 --  Let me begin with St. Mary’s Cathedral. It completes 100 years. It is the symbol of the history of Christianity in this land. It has survived extensive damages through earthquake, second World War bombings and the recent cyclone Nargis. In a country of religious symbols and a million pagodas, this church in the heart of the main city proclaims the presence of Christ's message. The renovation, especially the stained-glass representation of Christ's life, attracts hundreds of non-Christians to Christ's message. After half century of challenges, Christians start this millennium with hope and optimism.

The Church has been a victim over half a century. We are in a minority, a disempowered group. That has not deterred us from building up people of all religions through education and social service. So many of our activities are discreet. Our target has been the long-range building of the most vulnerable people. Ours is a steady evolution.

Next to the army, we are the only group spread all over the country. The Church encompasses all ethnic groups. In many remote parts we are the only group reaching out to people in their pastoral, educational and health needs. I think we are one of the few encouraging examples of how an indigenous church survived despite suffocating constraints.

Missionaries were expelled in 1966. Most of our assets were nationalized. Schools and hospitals were taken away from us. We became poor overnight. That did not stop us from running the seminaries, novitiates, carrying on with evangelization and looking after the people. From 8 dioceses we have gone to 16 dioceses. From 300,000 Catholics, today we are 750,000. From 150 Priests to 750, from 400 sisters we have gone to 1600 sisters and 150 brothers. We have hundreds of Catechists. All our dioceses have their Caritas networks, social, pastoral activities like any other country.

We are for constructive co-operation. The futility of dwelling in the past is known to all of us. As a united nation all can gain and the nation can return to the glorious days. We are supportive of the many measures the government has taken in recent times: release of some political prisoners, the courage with which it suspended the dam project, the space allowed to the opposition party, etc.

Our strength lies in social sectors: education and health. Helping people to realize their potential is part of the Church's mission. With our international connection we can help in quality education, teacher education, technical education. Preventive Health education is another area where already our religious sisters are involved.

This is the time the government should invite the cooperation of different religious leaders for the development of the country. Let the closed-in mentality of ‘one religion one race’ be of the past. Discrimination and restrictions towards a religion or a race is a crime and injustice. We must learn from the crisis: We should not allow any crisis to go waste, learn from the past and invest in the future. Equal protection and lawful opportunities be provided by the State to all religions. We have suffered much too long. Many have died longing to witness the GLORIOUS DAYS!
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The Church: "immediate cease-fire, then a plan of national reconciliation"
The Burmese Church recalls the plight of the war with ethnic minorities across the nation: archbishop Bo said that the government "is trying to establish contacts with all political groups, but they are currently fighting in the Kachin area". The fear is that "the various conflicts can awaken", therefore "it is time that the government promptly promotes dialogue and serious negotiations," recognizing the rights and needs of different ethnic communities and relaunch with force, "a global plan of national reconciliation" .

A dialogue that, notes Archbishop Bo, "is necessary also to reconnect with the European Union, Asian countries, the community and international institutions. It is necessary, above all, to maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries, but without letting the powerful neighbors such as China, think they can extend their dominion over our nation".
Pope sends envoy to Yangon centennial

Pope Benedict XVI to send personal envoy to attend a special ceremony marking the hundredth anniversary of the construction of St Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon.

Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, former Vatican ambassador to the UN and former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, will preside over a celebratory Mass on December 8.