It's not always right to sit and be quiet

I've been a Catholic all my life, and I have to say I was ashamed to read this:

"While thousands of Buddhist monks have marched on the streets to protest against Myanmar's military regime, the Catholic Church has ordered its clergy not to take part in demonstrations or political activities.

Worshippers at Yangon's Catholic churches Sunday read posted bulletins from its hierarchy stating that priests, brothers and nuns were not to become involved in the monthlong protests, but that lay Catholics could act as they saw fit."

To think that Buddhist monks risked all in the name of human rights -- and rallied the people by example of their peaceful marches -- but the Church telling clergy to just not get involved is disquieting, to say the least. And apparently I'm not the only one who was disturbed by the directive:

"But at one Yangon church, a Western priest told a mostly foreign congregation of some 100 worshippers that the international community must speak out against the regime, criticizing those who remained silent.

'The situation now in Myanmar should not be deemed as "business as usual." What's happening can be likened to a rape,' he said in a sermon, asking not to be identified by name for fear of reprisals.

A handful of Myanmar residents were inside the church, and had apparently been sleeping there in recent days for fear their homes would be raided by security forces which set up a checkpoint about 10 meters (yards) from the church after the Mass."

The Church should be more than just a shelter, locking the doors and hoping the evil doesn't come inside. The Church should offer guidance, inspiration and strength, and lead by example. Yangon Archbishop Charles Maung Bo said that "in accordance to canon (church) law and the social teachings of the Catholic Church, priests and religious are not to be involved in any party politics ... and demonstrations." But this is not party politics, nor is it neo-Marxist "liberation theology." This is about basic human rights and elemental freedoms. This is a military junta that -- well, let's just say the death of Kenji Nagai speaks louder than words: