The Sacred Heart Cathedral has been targeted by the military. Church authorities condemned the action.
Newsroom (12/11/2021 9:52 PM, Gaudium Press) On the night of November 10, the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pekhon, Myanmar was hit by the Burmese army with heavy weapons fire. The incident was reported by Father Julio Oo, priest of the diocese, to Agenzia Fides.
The priest condemned the episode and described it as vile since “the church is a place of refuge and protection in the midst of the general instability of a violent war. When there is fighting in the region, hundreds of people take refuge in the cathedral”, explained Father Julio. He also deplored the fact that churches are becoming frequent targets of attacks by the military. According to the Christian community in the region, churches are targeted because they are the nucleus of community life and represent hope for the population.
Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is a Southeast Asian country. The country got its independence from the United Kingdom on January 4, 1948. Since then, the nation has experienced almost constant political and ethnic upheavals. Myanmar is going through the World’s longest civil war.
Christians in Myanmar represent a mere 2% in a population of over 54 million, while 80% of the country is Buddhist. (FM)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
