Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon is optimistic about rebuilding Myanmar as it emerges from six decades of military rule and isolation. His concentration is on peace-building efforts and education, as plans progress to establish diplomatic relations between the country and the Holy See.
While describing recent accounts of army brutality as “heartbreaking and very profoundly disturbing” and calling for “an end to the military offensive against civilians in Rakhine state,” Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, who was named as Myanmar’s first cardinal in 2015, maintains an optimistic faith in the new Myanmar regime and hope for religious freedom in his country.
There has been “quite a dramatic change in the country,” Bo said. “It's just been two to three years that it’s begun to open up and we could speak out freely.” The National League for Democracy is trying to refocus the country’s priorities on education and health, he said, while previously the budget was mostly used for the military. “Although there are many concerns and still problems to be addressed, I think the people feel so free to speak out and be more relaxed. They will comment on the situation and what the government is doing very freely.”
The Catholic Church, other Christian communities and people of other faiths—Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists—plan to hold an interfaith peace conference April 26-27, with representatives of the military, armed groups and civil society. The Catholic Church in Myanmar is offering first Friday Masses, along with special fasts and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, “for peace in the country,” said Bo. “That's the main concern.”
For more on the interview with Cardinal Bo last month, read National Catholic Reporter.
