ASIA/THAILAND - The Church remains outside politics and prays for peace

Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - "Society is divided and the level of conflict is unfortunately very high. Even the Catholic community reflects these divisions. However, the Church remains out of the political struggle and prays for peace." This is what Fr. Surasit Chumsriphan, Pastor of Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok, told Fides, after a day of high tension in the streets of the capital. The army approached menacingly to the barricades erected by the "Red Shirts", and some grenades, which exploded in the area manned by the Red Shirts, have left 3 dead and 75 wounded. Today, military leaders and protesters are accusing each other of being responsible - openly or behind the scenes - for the violence.
Observing the territory, with his daily contact with the population of the capital (Catholics and non), Fr. Surasit tells Fides: "We are living this situation with great concern. The wounded and dead yesterday have caused bitterness and shock. Among the people there is a prevailing pessimism and fatigue. Our hope is that we can find a peace agreement. The dialogue between the parties is the only way. We must not abandon it to arms. The common good of the country should be at the center of the debate."
The priest said: "We Catholics continue to pray for peace, so that the country may be preserved from an explosion of widespread violence that would be highly detrimental to all. To our faithful themselves, who adhere to one or another political party, we ask them not to involve the Church in the political struggle and to seek a climate of dialogue and peace. The Church does not enter into the struggle between political factions, but thinks of and promotes the values of harmony and the common good, which now must once again be the guiding star for all."
Yesterday, at a pastoral meeting held April 22 in Bangkok, attended by several bishops and representatives of the Catholic Church, all reiterated the appeal for national reconciliation. Archbishop Chamniern Santisukniran, Archbishop of Tharae-Nongsaeng and President of the Bishops' Conference, said that "the main enemy is hatred and anger," inviting everyone to forgiveness and emphasizing that negotiation and prayer are essential for resolving the political and social crisis. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/23/2010)