Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has called on all warring parties in Myanmar to commit to a meaningful and just peace during the Christmas season.
"I call upon Christians and my countrymen, without our effort there will not be any peace. Those who believed in arms did not bring any results. As people of faith, we can move mountains," Cardinal Bo said in his Christmas message.
Cardinal Bo spoke of the civil wars that have bedeviled the country for more than 60 years, displacing tens of thousands who remain living in camps in the states of Kachin, Shan and Rakhine and border camps along Thailand.
"How can we celebrate Christmas justly when thousands of our brothers continue to languish in camps at this very moment, because of our wars?" said the 67-year-old cardinal.
Since Nov. 20, fighting has intensified in Kachin and northern Shan states between the military and ethnic armed groups including the Kachin Independence Army who are Christians.
"I do hope the new government, the army, the armed groups make war history. Peace will bring prosperity," said Cardinal Bo.
"Once we were the richest country in the region. Now we are one of the poorest. Our spiritual wealth is known to the world," he said. "I do hope this is the last Christmas when we need to pray for peace in Myanmar."