She spoke at the launch of a new book, “‘Kill me, not the people.’ The courageous nun of Myanmar tells her story,” recently published in Italian by Editrice Missionaria Italiana.
She expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for the many times that he has spoken out about the situation in Burma.
The pope has repeatedly called for harmony in the country, which has a population of 54 million people and borders Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. Francis became the first pope to visit the Buddhist majority nation in November 2017.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the archbishop of Yangon, has also provided ongoing support to protesters, while urging the movement to remain “non-violent and peaceful.”
Pope Francis will offer Mass for Rome’s Burmese community in St. Peter’s Basilica May 16.
Fr. Maurice Moe Aung, a member of the Missionaries of Faith Congregation, said that Rome’s Burmese community is made up mostly of students, including members of religious communities.
The priest, originally from Burma, told journalists May 12 that he was worried by the mounting death toll and arrests as protests continue across the country.
May 11 marked 100 days since the Myanmar military seized control of the country in a sudden coup. The United Nations rights office has expressed concern about “gross human rights violations” in the country, where security forces have killed at least 782 people in their attempt to suppress street protests.
“The world must make its voice heard. It must make a more decisive contribution. We cannot wait. We cannot wait or there will be many more deaths,” the priest said.
Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.