ICC Note:

Myanmar and the Vatican have agreed to formal diplomatic ties. Pope Francis met with Aung San Suu Kyi earlier this month and the Vatican and Myanmar agreed to send diplomats. The move is perhaps unexpected in light of the escalation of conflicts against Muslim and Christian minorities in Myanmar since Aung San Suu Kyi took office. Catholics hope the move will help with the peace building process. Pope Francis has spoken out about the situation in Myanmar and has spoken specifically about the treatment of Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar.

5/5/2017 Myanmar (UCA News) – Church leaders in Myanmar were overjoyed when they heard that the Vatican and Myanmar would be formally establishing diplomatic ties.

The official decision came shortly after Pope Francis met privately with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi at the Vatican May 4. The Vatican then announced the pope would appoint a nuncio to Myanmar and receive an ambassador from the Southeast Asian nation.

Father Maurice Nyunt Wai, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, said he looked forward to the country becoming part of the international community after being isolated for more than six decades under military dictatorship.

“It is beneficial for interreligious dialogue and will help the peace process,” Father Nyunt Wai told ucanews.com, referring to ongoing conflict between ethnic groups and the Myanmar military in Kachin and northern Shan states.

“It’s a great opportunity for the nation,” he said.

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