SW News: Myanmar, as referred to during the Via Crucis in Rome, is suffering from continuous "piecemeal global strife." Despite this, in the middle of Myanmar's political instability, internally displaced people marked Easter hundreds of kilometers away from their homes, alone and without the support of family and friends.

Late in March, the United Nations released the conclusions of a humanitarian assessment, which revealed that almost 1.8 million people had been displaced in Myanmar, especially in the northwestern area where violence had risen because of civil war.

Taunggyi, the capital of the eastern state of Shan, is home to many Christians who fled there after the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi's government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD) two years ago. According to AsiaNews, it was the first Easter celebration since the coup.

However, the military administration has been unrelenting in its pursuit of forest inhabitants, urging them to migrate to the city so that regular troops can more readily deal with rebel activities. Similarly, the military is shutting down refugee camps around the nation for the same reason.

According to AsiaNews, the Chin National Front, one of the ethnic groups opposing the military, claimed that 140 aircraft had pounded Thantlang in Chin State, close to the Indian border, since the takeover.

The junta's principal goals include targeting Christian institutions such as churches, hospitals, and schools in the states of Kayah, Chin, Karen, and Kachin. This is because a considerable number of people fleeing the turmoil have fled to these areas, as well as to India and Thailand.

In the meantime, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon has called for freedom and peace in Myanmar, where the military-ethnic insurgency and civil conflict are affecting tens of thousands of people, including Christians. "Let us remove the stones of hatred and misery as a nation," Cardinal Bo stated in his Easter sermon. "Inform the world that Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, has risen. Now that Jesus' tomb has been opened, we may celebrate and be free in Him," he said.