LENT
AND HOLY WEEK IN MYANMAR (BURMA)
I just returned from a month of teaching in Yangon,
the largest city and former capital of Myanmar (Burma). Last year the friars of the Myanmar (OFM)
Foundation and the FMM (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) in Myanmar decided to
collaborate in organizing a teaching program---which will perhaps develop into
an institute---open to the public. Since we had a break in our academic year in
Thailand, and the Minister General encouraged us in Thailand to seek closer
collaboration with our brothers in Myanmar, I offered to help them in their
program during the brief period I was available. Most of the students were of
university-age or close to it.
What struck me as commendable, in addition to
the educational assistance in English that was being given, was the way that
Christians, Buddhists and Muslims were coming together with mutual respect to
further their education. We teachers were all friars and sisters of St Francis,
but we made the classes very inclusive to those who came through the door. In addition to the different religious
identities represented, we had a variety of Myanmar’s ethnic identities: those
who were of the majority Burmese population, but also those who were of Tamil
and Telugu backgrounds (India) and some from the Myanmar states of Chin, Mandalay,
Kachin, Kayin, and Shan.
One of the benefits of being in Yangon at this time
was the opportunity to celebrate Holy Week with the Burmese. Probably the highlight for me was to attend
Easter morning mass at the cathedral in Yangon’s city center; the celebrant was
Cardinal Charles Bo, who last year made history for the Church in being named
Myanmar’s first cardinal ever. [ Catholic new sources state: “Bo's
appointment as Myanmar's first cardinal is seen as support for his efforts to
push national reconciliation, peace, justice and freedom as his people struggle
with religious and ethnic tensions and other problems.”]
Cardinal Bo gave a homily which probably would have been unthinkable even 5 years ago. He cited some of the problems that have plagued the nation in the past and kept it in a “crucified” state. Not surprisingly, he mentioned Aung San Suu Kyi and the obstacles she has had to overcome to reach her current role in the new government (which became empowered on March 30---the first civilian-elected government in 50 years). He also included Martin Luther King and Barack Obama among the persons who represent hope over oppression. I was able to chat briefly with Cardinal Bo after mass and thanked him for the very upbeat tone of “resurrection” he shared with the congregation; Easter as it should be!
--Jeff Haller, ofm
[Article appeared in the Sacred Heart Province ATP April 12, 2016]
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