Praying together for Myanmar!
The February 1 coup ended Myanmar's attempts to democratize after nearly 50 years of military rule and drew international condemnation.
The coup plunged Myanmar into chaos, drawing hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets of cities and towns across the country as doctors, teachers and other civil servants stopped work to protest the coup, known as the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
However, the army's violent crackdown has not discouraged the protests, despite more than 700 deaths and over 3,000 arrests. Even children have not been spared.
Our immediate concern is for our members and friends who are fighting daily against an increasingly brutal regime and are facing danger not only on the streets but also in their own homes, however innocent and non-violent they may be. We can only worry and ask what we can do to help them.
Since February 2, Fondacio Asia has launched a weekly online prayer via zoom open to all. Every evening, about 50 people from all over the world join us for an hour of solidarity and prayer. We have invited our members and friends in Asia and beyond. Every week, friends of friends continue to add to the number of people who wish to pray for Myanmar.
Despite the difficult situation of our members and friends in Myanmar, they still find the time and energy to prepare these prayers with some of our other members.
Each evening we begin by sharing news and updates from the field to understand the situation on the ground. This also helps our participants connect with the people of Myanmar and hold these intentions as we pray together. We have done simple vigils, stations of the cross, the Divine Mercy prayer, and we have sung Taizé chants and meditation songs.
Sometimes we also take time after prayers to listen to how our friends are doing in these difficult times. With the chaos in their homes, it is helpful to have a space to talk from their hearts. Some of them have testified:
"I feel like the whole country is in darkness... I feel hopeless."
-Member of Fondacio Myanmar
"It has been very difficult to hear and see the television images and news reports of the military coup in Myanmar. Knowing and loving the members of Fondacio Myanmar personally has made the situation even more real and frightening. The weekly prayer sessions organized by Fondacio Asia, where community members and refugees from Myanmar inform us about the civil disobedience movement, have really helped me to be present to the pain and suffering that our friends in Myanmar are experiencing. Listening to their stories, their fears, their anxieties and their anger helps me to join them in solidarity. I admire their peaceful and creative protests, their courage and perseverance and I pray that the situation will be radically reversed and that the freedom and democracy they have fought for many years will return and that the lives of all the people of Myanmar will be transformed again. I send them my prayers and love."
–Maddy Edwards, Fondacio volunteer for Myanmar
Whether it's to cry, to share their beliefs and hopes or simply to be listened to, it's a simple way to support them in their situation.
We are also fortunate to have, on certain evenings, Bishop Bruno Cosme (Cambodia) and Bishop Joel Baylon (Philippines) to accompany us and give us inspiring words and blessings.
The fight is not over and many of us feel called to take the next step to show our support.
Coalition of Catholic Youth Organizations Begins
In response to the search for ways to take action, the Catholic Youth Coalition was formed and met on March 20, 2021 via Zoom to identify actions we can take together. It is comprised of 17 organizations from 8 countries, and can continue to expand as we collaborate with others.
We are looking for ways to engage and empower young people to take action for justice and peace in Myanmar. We started by drafting a statement that clarifies our goals, our way forward, and how we will engage young people.
The coalition also joined the Region Hall last and participated in drafting the “ Joint Statement of the Southeast Asia Region Hall on the Crisis in Myanmar” which further enriched our beliefs and plans to support Myanmar.
Very soon, we will share the tools and begin engaging different groups to take part in this initiative in the hope that Myanmar will quickly regain its freedom and democracy.
Will you join us in this fight? Will you support our brothers and sisters in Myanmar?
Until then, let us continue to offer our prayers to our Lord, our savior and protector, as we always conclude our weekly prayer for Myanmar.
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