Indian Catholics support Myanmar protests

Kolkata, India, Oct 10, 2007 / 09:46 am

Catholics in the northeast of India have held prayer vigils and demonstrations for the democratic protesters in neighboring Myanmar. 

At least three Buddhist monks have been killed in Myanmar protests against the ruling military junta.  Over 100,000 protesters have been involved, many of whom are pressing for democratic reform. 

Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal condemned the military's violence against non-violent Buddhist monks.  He said the junta should "hold talks with the pro-democracy movement without preconditions."

In the Indian capital of Delhi the Archdiocese of Delhi held a candlelight gathering at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  Over 200 clergy, laity, vowed religious, and non-Catholics participated.

Other Christian churches voiced support for the protesters.  Reverend L. Kari Longchar, director of the Peace Affairs section of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, wrote in a press release "We naturally think of our kith and kin who live in an extensive area of northwest Burma (Myanmar) that is scandalously neglected and brutally treated by Rangoon." Rangoon, the former capital of Myanmar, is also known as Yangon.

Towns on the Myanmar border have not reported any refugees, but residents are buying supplies in expectation that local markets will close.