Cardinal Bo appeals to Russia, says humanity needs global healing, not hurting

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, SDB, send out an “earnest appeal” to resist the risk of nuclear war, promote peaceful dialogue and bring global healing.

“The world stands at an existential crossroads,” said Cardinal Bo, the President, Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC), in a statement issued on March 4.

The statement titled “Resist the Risk of a Nuclear Winter, Rally for the Global Peaceful Spring” was issued by Archbishop’s House in Yangon, Myanmar. Cardinal Bo is also the Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar.

The prelate is concerned about the frightening possibility of the “nightmare scenario of a global nuclear holocaust.”  

“The attacks on Ukraine and the impending threat of the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction have brought the world to the threshold of self-annihilation.  The heart-wrenching scenes of Ukraine attacks have shocked the world,” Cardinal Bo noted.

Cardinal Bo said: This has to stop.   

Cardinal Bo joined Pope Francis in appealing to the rulers of Russia - and to all others who believe in the power of violence to solve world problems through peaceful means and dialogue in the UN. 

“We are heartened by the united response of the world community in the UN where more than 140 countries voted against this war of attrition which threatens to destroy human security, respect for global institutions,” said the Myanmar prelate.

Cardinal Bo recalled that “exactly a century ago when a spiraling pandemic strangled the world, megalomaniac men unleashed the demons of two sadistic world wars.  More than 135 million people were killed by war in the 20th century.  The memory of the holocaust remains a  festering wound in the human conscience.”  

“Humanity is the main stakeholder in these geostrategic war games. History is a cruel teacher,” Cardinal Bo said. 

The prelate pointed out that “there were no victors in those wars. History mummified those evil men in unmarked graves as fossils of human cruelty.”  

“Let not history repeat itself in the 21st century.   The world has suffered a lot, encountering the multidimensional crisis of a pandemic that killed millions dealing a blow to the economy, impoverishing millions,” the cardinal urged.    

In strong words, Cardinal Bo appealed: This is the time for global healing not hurting.   

“We appeal directly to President Putin.  Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, tasked with promoting world peace and ensuring the rights of every nation.   We appeal to Russia to cease attacks on Ukraine and return to the UN for peaceful resolution of all issues,” the statement says.

In the final words, Cardinal Bo acknowledged that “peace is always possible; peace is the only way for humanity’s future.”