Amid the ongoing unrest, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar, has called for national unity and healing to counter the bloodshed and division plaguing the country.
The cardinal made his heartfelt appeal during the episcopal ordination of Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph.
Bishop Wai Lin Htun is the first Tamil bishop ordained in Myanmar’s history, marking a significant milestone for the local Church.
Bo emphasized that amid ongoing violence, displacement, and humanitarian suffering, the people of Myanmar urgently need a shepherd who will inspire hope.
“Thousands are longing for your healing presence, your words, and your ministry,” the cardinal said to the newly ordained bishop.
He urged the bishop to lead with deep faith, likening his mission to Abraham’s unwavering trust in God’s promises.
“In these troubled times,” he stressed, “a bishop must anchor his people’s hope in God’s providence, even when the future seems bleak.”
Highlighting the moral responsibility of church leaders, Bo said, “In a world gripped by corruption, injustice, and fear, you are called to be a moral compass—to stand for truth, justice, and compassion.”
He encouraged Bishop Wai Lin Htun to follow the example of St. Joseph, nurturing and protecting Christ’s presence among the faithful, not just by overseeing Church structures but by becoming a man of prayer, silence, and courageous action.
Bo also used the occasion to denounce social divisions and caste-based discrimination, labeling them "blasphemy against Christ."
He warned, “Whenever we look down on someone because of caste, tribe, or background, we wound the heart of Christ.”
The cardinal’s call for unity comes as the international community raises alarm over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
Italy’s ambassador to the United Nations recently condemned the junta’s escalating violence following the 2021 coup and stressed the need for unimpeded humanitarian aid, particularly in Rakhine State.
As Myanmar’s conflict deepens, Cardinal Bo’s message stands as a beacon of hope, urging the Church and society to choose unity and compassion over division and hatred.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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