In a wide-ranging interview ahead of the Pope’s upcoming apostolic visit to Asia, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, gave Vatican Media an inside look at the significance of the upcoming visit.
Deborah Castellano Luboff
“You only need to see that many of our churches are full during Sunday Mass to realize that many Asians who immigrate to other countries continue to keep their faith.”
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the Federation of Bishops’ Conferences of Asia (FABC) and Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, spoke in a wide-ranging interview with Vatican Media about Asia and Oceania that Pope Francis will visit during his reign. . Apostolic trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore from September 2nd to 13th. This was his 45th overseas apostolic trip and one of several to Asia.
In the interview, Cardinal Bo detailed a Church that is vibrant and diverse despite political, economic, social, environmental and cultural challenges, and also described a church that is ” “It’s not always easy to practice the Christian faith in the region,” he said. Not only are they alive, but they continue to live dynamically in various ways. ”
Q: Pope Francis is on his 45th apostolic trip to Asia and Oceania, following his previous overseas trip in September 2023. How do you assess the importance of this visit?
For many people in Asia, they have only heard about the Pope, but today, with the help of digital media, they can see him more than ever before. However, for ordinary people, the Pope is somewhat of a “distant figure.”
The Pope’s visit to Asia generates not only excitement but also new fervor for the faith and gives the people of Asia a new sense of faith. Because it shows that the peoples of Asia are not far from the Pope’s heart and mind.
What is even more encouraging is that Pope Francis has chosen to visit small countries that are little known to the world, such as Papua New Guinea and East Timor, on this trip to Asia, allowing the world to learn about the Church in Papua New Guinea. It created an opportunity. these countries. I am confident that not only will there be excitement among the people to meet the Pope in person, but the life and faith of the local Church will also be renewed.
Logo for upcoming papal trips to East Timor, Singapore, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Q: As President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, how does the diversity of Asian countries make this visit particularly meaningful? For example, the richness of Singapore, the poverty of Papua New Guinea, the Islamic You may think of Indonesia, which has an overwhelmingly large number of Catholics, and East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, where the overwhelming majority are Catholic. What’s interesting to note here?
What makes Asia unique is its diversity of cultures, religions, and traditions. Christians are a minority in most Asian countries except the Philippines and East Timor, but their faith is growing.
The churches of Asia are small but vibrant and vibrant. The Pope will see first-hand the dynamic diversity of the Church in Asia and the faith of its people. Despite the challenges faced in each country, whether rich or poor, majority or minority, people’s faith remains strong.
“Christians are in the minority in most countries in Asia, except for the Philippines and East Timor, but their faith is growing. The churches in Asia are small but vibrant and vibrant.”
Q: What can the Universal Church learn from the churches in Asia?
Three words come to mind: peace and harmony and what makes peace and harmony possible: dialogue. Despite the numerous challenges facing the Church in Asia, our goal is to pursue peace and harmony. Everyone wants peace and harmony. That is why, in the face of political repression, poverty, climate change, etc., the Church must work together with others to restore peace and harmony to the lives of those directly affected. .
In Asia, we learn to cooperate, interact and respect each other. But most of all, we learned how to coexist as brothers and sisters despite the hardships. I believe that the path to peace and harmony through dialogue is what Asia can offer the universal Church.
Q: What can you tell me about the witness of the church in Asia?
Churches in Asia are vibrant. It is enough to see that many of our churches are full during Sunday Mass. You will find that many Asians who have immigrated to other countries continue to keep their faith. They are our missionaries to these ancient churches. They bring new hope and enthusiasm to their “new home.”
We are also witnessing many churches being persecuted throughout Asia. Practicing the Christian faith in some parts of Asia is not always easy. Despite these political, economic, social and cultural challenges, their faith is not only alive, but dynamically alive in many ways.
“You only have to see that many of our churches are full during Sunday Mass to realize that many Asians who have immigrated to other countries continue to keep their faith. is…”
Q: What does the church in Asia, or these four individual churches, need from the church? Or their society?
It is difficult for me to say what individual churches want from the Church, but I hope that the Pope’s visit will bring new fervor to the faith and to living in peace, caring and being more tolerant of one another. I pray. As sisters and brothers we each care for the other, regardless of the differences we have.
Pope Francis and Cardinal Charles Maung Bo arrive in Myanmar for their 2017 apostolic trip
Q: Your Holiness visited you in Myanmar before going to Bangladesh, and similarly we can recall the emotion you felt when you returned to Asia before the pandemic for trips to Japan and Thailand. can. How about making new memories on this trip to Asia?
Every papal visit is unique and new. I am sure that the Pope will have a message for Asia on this visit, just as he did on his previous visit, and the memory will emerge naturally and its effect will be felt in due course.
However, my own hope is that the Pope’s visit will bring about new changes in the life and faith of the Church in Asia and be a living witness to the prosperity of our Church in the world.
Q: To what extent do you think the theme of climate and environmental sensitivity will play a role, given that the region is increasingly hit by natural disasters caused by the climate crisis?
The effects of climate change are having devastating effects in Asia. Given that the topic of caring for climate change is close to the heart of the Pope, I am confident that he will address this issue.
We must no longer sit on the sidelines, but actively engage in promoting climate care for the common good of all. The church in Asia must also become a key player in bringing about this change in the region and the world.
“We must no longer be bystanders, but be actively involved in promoting climate care for the common good of all. The Church in Asia must also support this change in the region and the world. You have to be the main player in bringing about this.”
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