Matters India Reporter
Yangon, April 22, 2020 — President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar has joined the call of the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres and Pope Francis, for a global ceasefire to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement released in Yangon on 22 April 2020 Cardinal Bo addressed the situation in his own country, Myanmar, and called for an end to hostilities worldwide.
“Without cessation of fighting everywhere,” he says, “the suffering of many will be prolonged the world over and healing delayed indefinitely.”
“The whole planet is in crisis. Every initiative now taken by our leaders will shape our nation and our world for years to come. The pandemic’s consequences are catastrophic for public health and for social and economic life,” the cardinal warned.
Making a passionate appeal to the nation’s leaders the cardinal said, “If we truly wish Myanmar to emerge a united, peaceful, prosperous people, now is the time for speedy, aggressive, respectful decision. Now is the time for wise, coherent, future oriented action. This is no time to escalate conflict.”
“I am convinced that continued military operations, precisely when the whole nation is suffering a crisis, will have catastrophic consequences for our nation,” the cardinal mourned.
The cardinal who is also archbishop of Yangon exhorted Myanmar leaders, “Now is the time for decisions that will build Myanmar as a united, peaceful, prosperous nation and member of the family of nations. Conflict makes Myanmar especially vulnerable.”
Affirming the political will of Myanmar’s national and ethnic leaders, the cardinal said, “[They] are able to choose between the path that seeks trust and cooperation for the good of all and so unite the nation, or to choose the path of continued conflict, which surely will only lead to overwhelming consequences of deeper disaster for those who already greatly distressed.”
In the latest statement the cardinal was echoing UN Secretary General, António Guterres, who said on 23 March 2020, “End the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world” … It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere. Now. That is what our human family needs, now more than ever.”
Pope Francis, who has a great feeling for Myanmar following his visit in 2017, joined his voice to that call of UN Secretary General saying, “May our joint fight against the pandemic bring everyone to recognize the great need to reinforce brotherly and sisterly bonds as members of one human family …Conflicts are not resolved through war and antagonism, and differences must be overcome through dialogue and a constructive search for peace.”
The cardinal concluded his message with an assurance, “The Catholic Church of Myanmar has a clear national plan for cooperation at local levels with authorities at every level. We are ready at all times to encourage and mediate new and timely dialogue among diverse parties.” END