INTERVIEW: Burma needs religious leaders’ prophetic voices and moral courage to build peace and justice

The Religions for Peace organisation issued an appeal signed by the religious leaders of Burma (Myanmar) ahead of the elections scheduled for November. The document, entitled “Seize the Opportunity!”, was published on 13th July 2020. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) interviewed Bishop John Saw Yaw Han, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, to understand the importance of this document and to find out more details about inter-religious dialogue in the country. The document also seeks to highlight what the future holds – bearing in mind the important role played by the leaders of different religious groups – and to shed light on how the country’s religious leaders are responsible for establishing a better peaceful coexistence, based on respect for human rights.

All the Burmese Catholic Bishops, as well as the religious leaders of the Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu communities have signed the text. Why is this document so important?

Religion is a sensitive issue in Myanmar. In Myanmar, politically motivated religious violence has [a] very ancient root and has got far reaching consequences. Religious intolerance is often manifested in hostile acts in the country by denouncing or ridiculing [the] religious values of a particular religion. The country has already experienced extreme violence about religious issues resulting in many deaths and homelessness. The rising cases of religious fanaticism and negative indoctrination are disturbing in the country. Sometimes religion is being used for social dominance, protection of economic and political interests by a small group of individuals.  For them, conflict and violence are necessary in order to de-stabilise the country, to deter outside investors. With little competition, only these individuals control the economy, which leads to lack of development and poverty. Indeed, it is “Religious Belief” which is the easiest way to create tensions.

That is why, the document is so important for the people of Myanmar. What the people need is living together in harmony and a peaceful coexistence. Even more important of the document is ‘the spirit of the document’ itself which is valuable and most important for it shows the desire and will of our Religious Leaders for the people of Myanmar. It will have an effective influence on the people and leads to the reducing of tension. Light conquers darkness!

In your opinion, what is the most important point in the document?

The Religious Leaders have pointed out rightly that “Religious Leaders are too timid in protesting injustice”. This is the most striking and important point. For many decades, some religious leaders sided with the powerful and ignored the oppressed. The religious leaders need a prophetic voice and moral courage in fighting against injustice, in building up peace. This coming election is very important because it is still choosing between the old system (which is exclusive culture, before 2015) and federalism (inclusive culture).  Now Myanmar’s transition to democracy is ongoing ushering a series of violent conflicts and homelessness, and Myanmar is on the cusp of major reforms. We are still in the process of up-rooting the old system. In this up-rooting process, our religious leaders must play a crucial role, in building up a nation, to educate the people and their conscience especially in the coming election.

In fact, during these years of the cusp of major reforms, many changes and many positive signs have been seen and noted. With sensible leadership and articulation of democratically smart vision allowing diversity of religion, culture, ethnic identity along with re-education and re-orientation at every level, Myanmar could become a beacon of religious and ethnic inclusion.

What is the contribution of the Catholic Church to inter-religious dialogue in Myanmar?

Each individual can make a difference! All Catholics, as citizens of Myanmar, are also responsible for the country of Myanmar. We are convinced that to work for the development of the country is really our challenge and our duty as citizens. It would be wrong for us, as Catholics and as citizens of Myanmar, to fail to be engaged in the struggle of the greatest nation building of our time. In critical times, it becomes the duty of all citizens to raise voice for common good of the country. Finally, if all human beings have rights, the same holds true of duties. Therefore, though Catholics are a minority in Myanmar, under the leadership and guidance of His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) plays an important role in nation-building. Since the 2015 election, CBCM has drawn-up a five-year strategic plan for nation-building with the special emphasis on education and integral human development, indigenous rights and environmental justice, rights of women, and collaboration with other denominations and religions for peace and human development.

The Episcopal Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism is one of CBCM’s commissions aiming to collaborate with the peoples of all faith from different religions and denominations in the establishment of peace and mutual co-existence. The commission plays an important role at grass-root levels, and Religions for Peace (RfP) plays a role at the international level. His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo and Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of Pathein Diocese, are responsible for the commission of the inter-religious dialogue, and they play leading roles in the RfP, which is recognized nationally and internationally.

What other challenges related to inter-religious dialogue is your country facing, and which ones need to be addressed?

The most popular social media in Myanmar is Facebook. There are even government official pages that release official statements since it is very easy and faster means to reach to the people. On the other hand, there are still many fake accounts on Facebook with fake profiles with the intention of spreading fake news, hate speech and incitements, creating religious conflicts and violence. Just for this purpose which doesn’t meet the good of the people, some are doing it privately, and still some are doing it as a team. There may be political reasons and economic interests behind this.

The Facebook team and Ministry of Information are taking charge of removing and eliminating all the fake accounts/posts, which spread hate speech causing fake news and religious conflict, but still need to do it more effectively.

The visit of Pope Francis to Myanmar in 2017 was a historic event. What has this visit brought to the country?

We can say that the Catholic Church gained a different profile to that of other Christian denominations due to the papal visit. The Catholic Church is more respected than in the past and some rights have also been granted. We could build the closer collaboration with Buddhists and other religions in peace building. Love, peace and harmony were key messages of the papal visit. Burmese Catholics were greatly encouraged by the visit and their faith was strengthened. The Catholic Church is raising its voice for the voiceless for peace and justice.