BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC

Fr. Stephen Van Lal Than

Following the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup in Myanmar, (also known as Burma), two Burmese clergy in the Diocese of Owensboro are urging Catholics and all of good will to pray for the suffering country.

Fr. Stephen Van Lal Than, who is a parochial vicar at Holy Spirit Parish in Bowling Green, said no one has been untouched by the coup.

“The country’s economy is decreasing rapidly since the current situation has forced many businesses to stop functioning,” he said, “and many are going out to protest the military dictatorship.”

As of this story’s deadline, at least 275 people are known to have been killed by the military’s violent crackdown on Myanmar’s citizens.

Fr. Van Lal Than, who was ordained by Bishop William F. Medley in 2020, after being sent to study for the priesthood in the diocese in 2017, said this is not the first time the country has encountered “such a heartless suppression, manipulation and violence by the military on the innocent people.”

Fr. Van Lal Than urged others to educate themselves about the situation in Myanmar, to pray, and to offer support to the people of Myanmar in the diocese.

He also emphasized “an action of love,” explaining that “Jesus teaches us all to even love our enemies. Love is not a mere emotion; it is an act of the will – willing the good for others. Hence, it is important to will the good for all people.”

Deacon Martin Ma Na Ling

Deacon Martin Ma Na Ling, who arrived in the diocese with Fr. Van Lal Than in 2017 and was ordained to the transitional diaconate on March 20, 2021, said the military has cut mobile networks “to stop the news to the world,” which means he also cannot communicate with his family right now.

He said that right now, the people of Myanmar need “your encouragement, prayers and standing with them.”

Pope Francis has made several appeals for an end to the brutality, including in his March 17 general audience in which he said, “I too kneel on the streets of Myanmar and say: stop the violence! I too extend my arms and say: let dialogue prevail!” in reference to Sr. Ann Rosa Nu Tawng, who knelt before security forces on Feb. 28 and successfully dissuaded them from harming peaceful protestors.

Bishop Medley issued a March 5 statement on the crisis, saying that in solidarity with the people of Myanmar, “Let us all assure our brothers and sisters of our prayers for an end to the violence and the beginning of a lasting peace.”

Originally printed in the April 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.