Yangon archbishop in election appeal

Yangon Archbishop Charles Maung Bo has appealed for justice, peace, freedom and development in Myanmar on the eve of the nation’s first elections in 20 years.




“We are praying that there may be justice, freedom, peace and development in our country!” Archbishop Bo wrote in his appeal, Fides reports.

The appeal was read in the churches of Myanmar and has been spread throughout the nation on Radio Veritas Asia, translated into 4 languages (English, Burman, Sakaw Kayin, and Kachin), in order to be able to reach out to as many members of Myanmar’s society as possible, including the ethnic minorities.

The Archbishop, first of all, highlights that “every citizen is expected to be in service for the good of the country. This is the inevitable duty…It is the responsibility of every citizen to choose and to have the authentic leaders of the country.”

The Archbishop continues: “Every citizen has immense responsibility to promote peace and development of the country.” As the nation struggles to make efforts towards a democratic system, “We have to serve our country in any position for peace and development of the country.”

The Archbishop recalls that the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) and Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) have sent a prayerful greetings to our Senior General Than Shwe.

The bishops ask the authorities to assure honesty in the vote count process, etc.

They also state that “as bishops, priests and religious, we will pray for the election and encourage you; however, we do not have a right to speak which party to choose.”

The Archbishop says: “There is no impossibility with God. You are responsible especially to choose the representatives who promote justice, liberty, equality, unity and development of the country…be bearers of Good News…as authentic children of God.”

source:http://www.cathnewsasia.com