The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) declared March 26 a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace, urging Catholics across the country to unite in prayer for an end to violence and suffering.
According to Vatican News, the appeal was made in a pastoral letter addressed to Catholic faithful of Myanmar, and signed by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the CBCM, and Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye, Secretary General of the bishops’ conference.
The bishops invited the faithful to dedicate the day to intense prayer, fasting, and acts of charity as Myanmar continues to experience conflict and social turmoil.
“For the Catholic Church,” the bishops wrote, “the Holy Lenten Season is the time to make more effort for penance, conversion of heart and the intimate relationship with God,” adding that Lent calls believers to deepen their commitment to prayer, fasting, and charity.
They stressed the need for prayers for peace not only in Myanmar but also in other conflict areas of the world.
The bishops called on the faithful to pray “that God gives His Peace to the world and to Myanmar and that there will be mutual understanding and progress in unity.”
Myanmar has been facing prolonged political instability and armed conflict since the military takeover in 2021, with many communities suffering displacement, economic hardship, and violence.
As reported by Vatican News, the bishops encouraged Catholics to spiritually unite their sacrifices with the suffering of Christ during Lent.
In particular, they invited the faithful to recall the Prayer of Peace of St. Francis of Assisi, fast in solidarity with Christ’s suffering, and support those in need through charitable actions.
They urged believers to fast “with the suffering of Jesus Christ, that we offer our sufferings for the conversion and unity of hearts,” and to perform acts of charity so that “we help and make donation for the poor and suffering people.”
The bishops said these practices can strengthen the faithful in their commitment to peace and reconciliation in a nation deeply affected by conflict.
In concluding their message, Cardinal Bo and Bishop Saw Naw Aye expressed gratitude to Catholics for their continued prayers and solidarity.
They reminded the faithful that the path to peace begins with daily acts of compassion and understanding.
“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV also reminds that peace is built by the practical living of love, compassion and mutual understanding in daily life,” the bishops wrote, as cited by Vatican News.
The Day of Prayer and Fasting was intended to unite Myanmar’s Catholic community in a collective appeal for peace, healing, and reconciliation in the country.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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