【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2017 年 11月 22 日緬甸Anisakan訊】 ─ 11月27至30日，教宗方濟各將訪問緬甸。鑑於是次訪問的重要性，我們向緬甸慈幼會準會省副省會長暨培育委員Bosco Zeya Aung神父，詢問了幾個問題。
By Fr Silvio Roggia, SDB
如今鮑思高神父在緬甸哪裡？
這個國家有多達六千萬居民，其中天主教徒少於1%，有77位慈幼會士，在9個中心服務，不少青年會士在國內外接受初期培育。母佑會在國內共有4個團體，共36名修女。
慈幼會士在緬甸的歷史是怎樣的？
慈幼會士於1939年到達曼德勒，隨即受邀請前往臘戍地區，而宗座外方傳教會已在那裡建立首批基督徒團體。事實上，在當地的慈幼會士，令教會穩固地在那裡建立起來。1962年發生政變，傳教士被驅逐出境，教會處於艱苦狀況，然而少數信徒仍然存留。
如今，牧民工作漸漸恢復過來：現在我們有數處傳教工作地點，有兩所寄宿院舍，例如位於Anisakan的「納匝肋」，有120名年齡介乎12至17歲的青年，在這裡生活並一起唸書，幾乎所有國內慈幼會士，包括仰光總主教貌波樞機，都曾在那裡接受過培育。
在格勞也有類似的中心，服務70名男青年，與錫袍一樣，設有備修生及初學前期修生的團體。在Myitkyina也有一所職業學校，收容染上毒癮的青年（國內某些地區常見現象，實屬不幸）；在曼德勒設立了「鮑思高青年之友」，收容極度困難的青年，為他們提供非正式的工藝技術訓練。
鮑思高神父如何為緬甸的未來作出貢獻？
慈幼會士的生活，正進入新里程，這實在有賴為數不少的新聖召。的確，工作不會缺乏，因為事實上需要像鮑思高神父這樣的一位朋友的青年，實在眾多。
緬甸對教宗的到訪有什麼期望？
我認為這就是你們在T恤和旗幟上，所看到的標語：「愛與和平」。國家極需要為那些經歷重大困苦，處身社會邊緣的人士，開展正義、修好、和平與關顧的道路。
Don Bosco in the country: yesterday, today and tomorrow
(ANS – Myanmar –Anisakan, 22 November 2017) –From November 27 to 30, Pope Francis will be on an apostolic voyage to Myanmar and, in view of this important event, we have asked a few questions to Fr Bosco Zeya Aung, Provincial Vicar and Delegate for Formation in Myanmar.
By Fr Silvio Roggia, SDB
Where is Don Bosco in Myanmar today?
In this country, which counts nearly 60 million inhabitants, and where Catholics are less than 1%, the Salesians are 77, present in 9 centers, with a good number of young people in initial formation, both internally and abroad. The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are 36 and have 4 Communities.
What is the history of the Salesians in Myanmar?
The Salesians arrived in Mandalay in 1939. They were then asked to go to the Lashio region, where PIME (Pontificio Istituto Missioni Estere) had already established the first Christian communities. In fact, it was those Salesians to firmly establish the Church in that region. With the coup of 1962, and the expulsion of missionaries, hard times followed, but a small group of faithful remained.
A little at a time, pastoral work resumed: now we have missionary presences, and two boarding houses, such as “Nazareth” in Anisakan, where 120 children between 12 and 17 years of age live and study – and where almost all the Salesians in the country, including Card. Charles Maung Bo, archbishop of Yangon, have passed through.
Kalay has a similar center for 70 boys, as does Thibaw, where there is also a community for aspirants and prenovitiates. There is also a technical school at Myitkyina, which houses young people who have developed addictions (unfortunately a very common phenomena in some parts of the country); while in Mandalay, the “Don Bosco Friend of Youth” has opened, a home for teenagers with severe difficulties who are offered informal trade and skills training.
What can Don Bosco offer to the future of Myanmar?
Salesian life is experiencing a new aurora, thanks to the encouraging number of new vocations. Surely, there will be no lack of work, because the young people who really need a friend like Don Bosco are so many.
What does Myanmar expect from the Pope’s visit?
I think the slogan that you already see printed on T-shirts and flags is spot on: “love and peace”. The country has a great need to embark upon paths of justice, reconciliation, peace, attention to those who are experiencing greater difficulties or are on the margins of society.