Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win attends Christmas Day Thanksgiving ceremony
Nay Pyi Taw December 23
The Christmas Day Thanksgiving ceremony, jointly sponsored by Myanmar Council of Churches, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Myanmar Evangelical Christian Alliance, and Myanmar Christian Mission Cooperation, was held at Holy Cathedral Church at the corner of Bogyoke Aung San Street and Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Botahtaung Township, Yangon Region this evening, attended by Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Also present were Daw Than Than Nwe, wife of the Vice-Senior General, SAC member Union Minister for Defence Admiral Tin Aung San and wife, union ministers and wives, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, the Yangon Region chief minister, the Yangon Command commander and wife, region ministers and wives, the mayor, bishops of Myanmar Council of Churches, Catholic bishops and nuns, bishops of Myanmar Evangelical Christian Alliance and Myanmar Christian Mission Cooperation, officials of Christian associations and Interfaith Friendship Organization, guests, Christians in Myanmar, Catholic youth groups, Christian elders.
On arrival at the Holy Cathedral Church, the Vice-Senior General and party were welcomed by Archbishop Cardinal Charles Bo and bishops.
The ceremony was held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Archbishop U Myat Hsan said the opening prayer, Auxiliary Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye extended greetings, and the hymn “Then Jesus Came” was sung in chorus.
In his Christmas Day address, the Vice-Senior General since the olden days, the successive governments of Myanmar has ensured the right to freedom of religion and worship in accord with the adopted rules and principles. The section 354 (d) of Chapter 8 of 2008 Constitution states, “to develop their language literature, culture they cherish, religion they profess, and customs without prejudice to the relations between one national race and another or among national races and to other faiths” and the section 362 states, “The Union also recognizes Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Animism as the religions existing in the Union at the day of the coming into operation of this Constitution.”
The said two provisions have clearly permitted individuals or all the members of a religion the right to follow their faith within the framework of rules, principles and laws.
Then, paragraphs praising the Christ in 1:23 of the Gospel of Matthew and 2:13-14 of the Gospel of Luke were explained.
Then, missionaries such as archbishops, bishops and reverent priests and nuns were requested on behalf of devotees to send prayers to Christ to shed compassion on each human being and to make the world peaceful.
As the word “compassion” is included in every religious faith, it is something that is powerful and can overcome and penetrate everything. Similarly, peace can be achieved with compassion. It is necessary for missionaries to inspire Christian devotees as well as devotees of other religions to observe teachings of the Christ and to show compassion and sympathy to each other among humans. Protection of compassion makes the world safe and secure. In conclusion, the Vice-Senior General prayed for peace for each individual, family and the entire world.
Then, vocalists sang hymns and Rev.D U Aye Min read out the bible and Archbishop Steven Than Myint Oo made a special prayer. Sister Midorin of the CBCM read out the bible and the Christmas Orchestra played music.
Then, Cardinal Charles Bo extended Christmas greetings, saying not only Christians but also all human beings in the world may have blessing and auspiciousness on an auspicious Christmas occasion. All Myanmar citizens may enjoy mental and physical peace after achieving genuine peace and achieve success in religious, economic and social fields. All may be peaceful, prosperous and happy.
Afterwards, Cardinal Charles Bo and Archbishop Steven Than Myint Oo presented Christmas gifts to the Vice-Senior General and wife, who presented a fruitbasket and goods produced by the Tatmadaw as Christmas gifts.
Then, Archbishop U Myat San and Auxiliary Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye and SAC Member Admiral Tin Aung San and wife exchanged Christmas gifts.
Afterward, Rev Man Pastor spoke words of thanks and Cardinal Charles Bo said the blessing for the Republic of the Union of Myanmar before hymns were sung.
Then, Rev. Saw San Aung praised those who took part in hosting the Christmas dinner.
Afterward, the Vice-Senior General and party enjoyed the Christmas dinner hosted by the Myanmar Council of Churches, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar, the Myanmar Evangelist Christian Alliance and the Myanmar Christianity Propagation Alliance.