Oct 1, 2007 / 07:46 am
The massive protests against Myanmar's military rulers have included thousands of Buddhist monks facing military troops and riot police armed with guns, clubs, and tear gas. Security forces raided Buddhist monasteries and hundreds of monks were also arrested. But the Associated Press reports that Catholic clergy and religious have been ordered to avoid open activism and street protest.
Archbishop Charles Maung Bo of the archdiocese of Yangon explained this policy in a Wednesday interview with Vatican Radio. "In accordance to canon law and the social teachings of the Catholic Church, priests and religious are not to be involved in any party politics ... and demonstrations."
Though the actions of clergy were restricted, the archbishop insisted that the laity were free to participate in the protests. "Catholics as citizens of the country are free to act as they deem fit. The clergy and the religious can give them proper guidance."
Bulletins conveying these orders have been posted at churches in Yangon, the former Myanmar capital city once known as Rangoon. The bulletins also urge Catholics to pray, fast, and offer Mass for their country.