Fr Anthony Chantry, the National Director of Missio, was recently invited to visit refugee camps in Thailand. The purpose of his visit was to express solidarity, and offer support, to our sisters and brothers who have faced ongoing persecution and hardship due to the political turmoil in Myanmar. Here is his personal reflection on his experience.
It has been some time since I travelled down an unwelcoming road. As we twisted our way through a dense forest, the track was potholed throughout and waterlogged in several places. ‘I wonder whether this road will be tarmacked one day,’ I pondered in the smooth silence of my imagination. However, it proved to be a very apt preparation for what, in contrast, I was to experience in the refugee camp at Mae Hong Son in northern Thailand.
An unreported conflict
I was with Fr Dominic, effectively the Parish Priest of the camp, who must travel the same route every day as he is not allowed to live in the camp itself. He is a priest from Myanmar (Burma), unable to return to his home because of the ongoing civil war instigated by its military dictatorship. It is a largely unreported conflict, which usually gives licence to those who choose to create humanitarian crises.
An ongoing crisis
Ethnic groups in the northwest and southeast of Myanmar are seeking their right to self-determination, which has been met with an unrelenting suppression by the local Armed Forces. For three years there has been full blown civil war, which shows no sign of ending.
According to reports, more than 2 million people are now internally displaced and require urgent assistance. An estimated 77,000 civilian properties, including houses, religious structures, education, and health facilities, have reportedly been destroyed.
‘We often feel forgotten’
Driven from their homes, many fearing for their lives have fled into neighbouring Thailand. Thousands of families have sought safety at the Mae Hong Son refugee camp. The unwelcoming road ended at the police checkpoint where Fr Dominic negotiated my entry into the camp with the permits already granted and issued for our visit.
In contrast to the journey, the welcome we received from the people as they gathered for Sunday Mass is something to treasure. ‘Thank you for visiting us because we often feel forgotten and abandoned by the outside world. Your visit gives us hope,’ was the widespread reaction to our visit.
Mae Hong Son is the home to thousands of refugees, among them a large Catholic community. The church, which they built themselves, is a fragile wooden structure holding two to three hundred people for Mass.
A Mass filled with hope
On that Sunday the church was packed, with many outside, and for over two hours the people sang their hearts out in praise and adoration of the One who stands with them in their suffering.
Mary Nanja shared her situation with me: her husband was somehow able to leave for work overseas, leaving her in the camp with her three children.
‘There is nothing left for me in Burma. Our home was destroyed, and we were forced to leave the country. Life is very tough here in the camp, but at least we are safe. I hope my children will have a better future. It is like living in a cage, but I know God is with us and will help us one day to be free.’
Fr Dominic works hard to bring people together and give them the hope that Jesus gives in his mission. Jesus was sent by the Father, armed with the power of the Spirit, to ‘set captives free’ and to be Good News to those who are powerless.
With our help
Not all is hopeless. Both humanitarian and Catholic organisations are striving to alleviate the suffering of the refugees.
I am happy to report that Missio – that’s you and I – stand in solidarity with them through prayer and action. We are helping them to build a better structure for their place of community and worship. A church that will provide a welcome, and give hope to our brothers and sisters who face an uncertain future.
As I left Mae Hong Son I realised, as I have many times before, that I leave richer than I entered. Their faith has strengthened mine; their hope has enriched mine; their love has challenged mine. And somehow, that road doesn’t seem so unwelcoming.
Refugees Week
This week is International Refugees Week – a special