On February 1, 2021, a coup d’état was staged in Myanmar. Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party was forcibly removed from power by the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military, headed by Min Aung Hlaing). In the following days, a number or protests occurred, with some turning violent. During one of these protests on March 8th, Sr. Ann Rose Nu Twang, SFX was photographed kneeling in front of military police, pleading with them to not kill protestors behind her.
Sr. Twang, a sister of St. Francis Xavier, does not appear to be the only Catholic actively trying to protect protestors. Another sister, who is not mentioned by name in news reports, also was photographed kneeling before military police, and there is at least one report that they were joined by a bishop.
Sr. Twang reported that she expected to be killed:
On Sunday, I was at the clinic. I was giving treatment on that day as the other clinics were closed. I saw groups of people marching by. They were protesting. Suddenly I saw police, military and water cannon following the protesters. Then they opened fire and started beating the protesters. I was shocked and I thought today is the day I will die. I decided to die.
Read an interview with her at Sky News and see a video interview at the BBC.
Pope Francis, during his weekly general audience on March 17th, said: “I too kneel on the streets of Myanmar and say: stop the violence!”
Photo: Sky News
