Bearing Witness to the People of Myanmar — From Colorado to Rome

Risen Christ Parish in Denver has become a spiritual home for several refugee families from Myanmar. (Photo by Neil McDonough)

In a moving reflection published by The Tablet, Father Scott Bailey, pastor of Risen Christ Parish in Denver, shares how his community has been transformed by the presence of Myanmar refugees — families who fled violence and persecution under a brutal military regime.

Inspired by Pope Francis’ repeated appeals for peace in Myanmar, this parish now prays weekly for the suffering nation and celebrates Mass in the Myanmar language.

Despite the horrors following the 2021 military coup — including bombings, mass displacement and attacks on places of worship — Myanmar remains largely invisible in Western media. But for one parish, awareness began not through headlines, but through relationships.

"We were ignorant of the situation until we were face-to-face (or rather, shoulder-to-shoulder in the pews) with our Myanmar brothers and sisters," Father Bailey wrote.

The piece calls Christians to solidarity and action — advocating for peace, humanitarian aid and accountability — while remembering Jesus' own words that “whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Read the full article on The Tablet:

How a parish in the US bears witness to the sufferings of the people of Myanmar