Myanmar: First public celebration of Christmas in 50 years

Source: Fides

Christmas has been celebrated publicly in Myanmar (Burma) for first time in 50 years. The Catholic and Protestant communities came together for several public celebrations in the streets of Yangon. In the past, Christmas celebrations were strictly confined inside the walls of churches, but this year, several liturgies, feasts, processions, took place in the city, with specific authorization of the regional government authorities.

The Festival was inaugurated on December 23 in the Methodist Church of the Holy Trinity and ended on December 25 with a solemn liturgy in the Catholic Cathedral of Santa Maria in Yangon, in the presence of Henry Van Thio, vice president of the Republic of Myanmar.

Bishop John Saw Yaw Han, Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Yangon, declared the happiness of the Burmese Christians for this first Festival and encouraged all fellow citizens "to contribute in every possible way to the peace and prosperity of the nation".

The special Christmas Festival was initiated with the consent of Phyo Min Thein, Prime Minister of the Regional Government of Yangon, and Mg Mg Soe, Mayor of Yangon, with the explicit intention of "honoring Pope Francis' visit to Myanmar held in November 2017 and to show solidarity with Christians in Myanmar and in the world".

According to Fr George Mg Mg, these activities are a sign of the growth of religious freedom in Myanmar. Christian woman Naw Nilar San, of the Baptist Church, remarked that "in 50 years I have never experienced this kind of Christmas feast, many Christian singers sang Christmas hymns, and Christians offered food and drink to the people of Yangon, without any discrimination, bringing everyone a greeting and a wish for peace".

"This year is very significant in the history of Burma because Christians were allowed to celebrate Christmas publicly with the people of the city.This Christmas Festival in the city was intended to promote social cohesion, interreligious understanding and friendship among citizens", said Fr Thet Tin, another local Catholic parish priest.

Catholic layman Toe Toe remarks that "Christmas means showing and giving the love of Christ for humanity." Thant Shwe, a Buddhist citizen, told Fides that he "appreciated and enjoyed the Festival", in which he participated with his wife, "highlighting that Christmas is a celebration that has value for all men and not just Christians".

This was the first major interfaith meeting with the Buddhist people in the history of Myanmar.

Phyo Min Thein, Prime Minister of the Regional Government of Yangon, has promised that in the future, the Christmas Festival in Yangon will continue to be celebrated.

According to the 2014 census, the entire Burmese population is 51.4 million and Christians of all confessions are, overall, three million.