[종합] “Rather shoot me”… Myanmar nuns blocked by armed police with naked bodies

“I beg you not to shoot at the protesters”

[아시아경제 김봉주 기자] Amid the intensifying suppression of violence by public authorities against popular protesters against the military coup in Myanmar, the appearance of a nun who risked her own life and went to the streets is ringing the hearts of the viewers.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the chairman of the Myanmar Bishops’ Church and the Archdiocese of Yangon, posted several photos on his Twitter account on the 28th of last month (local time) showing the situation in Myanmar.

Among the photos released, a nun is seen crying with both hands raised in front of the armed police. The picture also shows a nun kneeling in the middle of the road and appealing to refrain from violence. The protagonist of the picture is Sister Ahn Nu Taung from the Convent of Saint Francis Saberio in Michina, a city in northern Myanmar.

Cardinal Bo, who uploaded the photo, wrote in a post together, “Sister Nu Taung is begging civilians not to shoot for freedom and human rights.” Sister Nu Taong was said to have shouted “Don’t shoot. Don’t kill innocent people. Shoot me if you want.”

On the day the photo was taken, at least 18 protesters were killed and 30 were injured in Myanmar as a result of armed suppression by the military and police. This day is called’Blood Monday’ as the worst human damage occurred after the coup.

It is said that the police who suppressed the protests at Sister Nu Taung’s courageous appeal stopped the march and put down their guns.

In addition, Sister Nu Taung provided a convent as a shelter for protesters who were chased by the police and helped in emergency treatment for the injured. One woman who participated in the protest said, “Thanks to Sister, I miraculously saved my life. My lifesaver.” Another greeting at the scene was “Sister’s sincere request was able to stop the violence of the soldiers. She immediately ran to heal the injured,” he said.

The pictures released by Cardinal Bo were published in famous Italian Catholic media and delivered a message of peace to church members around the world.

Reporter Kim Bong-ju [email protected]