For the first time since the once open nation of Burma entered a phase of martial law, renamed itself Myanmar, and turned away from significant contact with the world community, a conference of more than 40 leaders of the Christian community was held in Myanmar February 10 in Rangoon to express commitment to religious freedom and Christian solidarity.

The meeting was propelled by the visit of John Graz, secretary-general of the Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions (CWC). Graz, an Adventist pastor, also acts as secretary-general of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA).

The Myanmar Christian Council of Churches (MCC) called the meeting and invited several Christian groups not normally associated with the MCC. This leading national Christian ministry, is comprised of 13 members of national Christian denominations that are affiliated with 9 other prominent Christian organizations such as the Young Women Christian and the Young Men Christian Association.

Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country, with just 6 percent Christians in a population of 52 million. Community resistance and government suspicion bring difficulties for Christian witness.

The Chairman of Myanmar Christian Council of Churches and General Secretary of Myanmar Bible Society, Baptist Reverend Saw Mar Gay Gyi, and General Secretary of Myanmar Christian Council of Churches, Reverend U Smith Ngul Za Tawn welcomed overseas guests and Christian delegations from the Myanmar Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Myanmar Evangelical Christian Fellowship, the Church of the Brethren, Myanmar Baptist Council, the Methodist Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar and other groups.

The group discussed ways to maximize Christian cooperation in Myanmar. "This is an important time," said Tawn, "because in a few days Myanmar is beginning the process of developing a new constitution."

While the government has in the past appropriated church property and continues to restrict some church activities, most attendees see hope in recent developments. "Yes, there is a slight bias against Christian and Western influence, " said U Tin Maung Tun, head of the Church of the Brethren, "but that is changing." He sees developing respect and an awareness that "we are Christians on a national level."

Leaders told of many cases of individual community leaders and government officials facilitating Christian activity -- and while some Buddhist priests have been hostile, others have opened their communities to them.

MCC leadership expressed thanks to the Adventist Church and Kenneth Htang Suanzanang, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist church in Myanmar, for working with them to make the historic gathering possible. The group committed to holding more such consultations. [Editors: John Graz and Christian B. Schaeffler for APD]