ASIA/MYANMAR - "Seek the Kingdom of God and His justice" in the war-torn Kachin state

Myitkyina (Agenzia Fides) - "The motto of the new Bishop of Myitkyina 'Quaerite autem primum regnum et iustitiam eius' (Seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice) is a clear call to all of us to redesign and rebuild our country. It is a reminder that the Kingdom of God can and must be present here and now, even in the face of challenges," said the Archbishop of Yangon, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, on January 12, during the ordination of Bishop John Mung La Sam, MF, the new Bishop of the Diocese of Myitkyina, the capital of the Burmese state on the border between Myanmar and China, where the ethnic minority of the Kachin lives. He was referring to the contested area of Kachin State in northern Myanmar. The inhabitants of the state (around 1.7 million people) have been claiming for over 60 years of autonomy and have set up their own army, the "Kachin Independence Army". There are two Catholic dioceses in the Burmese state: the diocese of Myitkyina (with about 100,000 believers) and the diocese of Banmaw (with 40,000 Catholics). The episcopal ordination gave Cardinal Bo the opportunity to give an insight into the situation in the state torn apart by civil war: "The Kachin", said the cardinal in his homily, which Fides has received, "are faced with crises that are frightening in their scale and complexity: first of all, displacement and emigration in a country where entire communities have been uprooted by the conflict. Families live in camps and long for the stability of a home. The Catholic community itself is displaced and wanders with its people, like the Israelites in the desert". What is striking is "the despair of the youth". "Many young people in Kachin see no hope for the future. With limited educational and work opportunities, they are vulnerable to exploitation, dependency and despair," said Cardinal Bo. Serious problems are phenomena such as drug trafficking and the exploitation of people: "The evil of drug trafficking casts a dark shadow over our country, destroying lives and undermining communities. It is a silent war that destroys the weakest among us," said the Archbishop of Yangon. All these phenomena lead to a multidimensional crisis: "Poverty, social instability and the wounds of the ongoing conflict make survival a daily struggle for many. This crisis requires not only aid, but a systemic change based on justice and the dignity of every person." In this situation of suffering, said the Cardinal, "hope lies in seeking the Kingdom of God together." "The Gospel calls us to be workers in the harvest. The fields in Kachin are indeed abundant and the work is immense,” said Cardinal Bo, who told the young people: “Let the Bishop’s journey inspire you to overcome despair. Seek knowledge and integrity and become builders of a just and peaceful Kachin.” “Displaced families,” he continued, “can use their homes as places of prayer and love, where faith is nourished and shared even in the midst of hardship.” May the whole Church be “a refuge for the displaced,” “a voice for the voiceless and a source of healing and hope for the brokenhearted,” he hoped. Bishop John Mung La Sam will lead the people of God “on a synodal journey, a journey that we must undertake together. As the Body of Christ, we are called to unite in prayer, action and solidarity. Together we can confront the evils of our time and build a world that reflects the justice and peace of the Kingdom of God." "If we seek first the Kingdom of God and its justice, with hearts full of hope and hands ready to work, everything is possible," concluded Cardinal Bo. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 14/1/2025)

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