Where God Weeps - the suffering church in focus

Myanmar: Suffering Brings Tolerance

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View the country profile of Myanmar.

Breaking News from Myanmar

• 20/12/2011: Bishop from Myanmar: “The Church assists in the development of the country”

Catholics in Buddhist-dominated Burma (Myanmar) are small in number - about 1 % of the population - but historically have had a great influence on the country’s development - for example Catholic orders once ran the best schools in Burma. That ended with a coup d’etat in 1962 when the newly installed junta nationalized schools, banned Christian religious education, and deported foreign missionaries. Today Burma (renamed Myanmar) is in the grip of a military regime. Many of Burma's Christians are part of ethnic minorities (northern Chin groups, Lisu, and Karen) who are opposed for ethnic, political, and religious reasons. The minority people are among the most discriminated peoples in Burma. Host Mark Riedemann interviews, Joseph Pibul Visitnondachai, Bishop of Nakhon Sawan and head of Thailand's Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees, which oversees the welcome of many of the Burmese refugees to Thailand.

Where God Weeps - episode #221

Title: Myanmar: Suffering Brings Tolerance
Guest: Bishop Joseph Pibul Visitnondachai
Host: Mark Riedemann

Duration: 24’08”
Year: 2010

Copyright: CRTN