The Catholic Church in Burma is persevering despite
persecution by the government, says a missionary.
The Church has not given up its "evangelizing mission," which is stronger
in that Southeast Asia nation because it is "close to the poor, those who
suffer, and the oppressed," says Father Vito del Prete, secretary of the
Pontifical Missionary Union.
Father del Prete made his comments last week when inaugurating the meeting
"Freedom of Religion: Human Right Denied in Burma."
In Burma, which in 1988 officially took the name Union of Myanmar, "the
military junta that has governed for over 40 years perseveres in a constant
persecution against the Catholic Church and human rights," Father del
Prete said.
"Missions cannot have schools, Christians are prohibited any external
manifestation, [and] any kind of apostolate or meeting, and communities are
regarded as accomplices of the northern guerrillas," he added.
According to Father del Prete, "the situation is different toward 'state'
Buddhism -- not authentic but imposed on the population as an attempt to
control the social fabric -- and Islam, with its 400,000 faithful, which is
tolerated."
U.S. government data say 89% of Burma's 42 million people are Buddhists; 4% are
Muslims.