Myanmar’s Cardinal Bo calls for ceasefire in the country

Myanmar’s Cardinal Bo calls for ceasefire in the country
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo. Photo: Mizzima
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo. Photo: Mizzima

Myanmar’s Cardinal Charles Bo is calling for a ceasefire in Myanmar as part of the call made by the United Nations chief and Pope Francis for a global ceasefire.

According to Vatican News, the country’s Catholic cardinal is raising his voice again, lending support to the call by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Pope Francis, for a global ceasefire, in favour of humanity’s more urgent “war” against the COVID-19 virus.

“The pandemic’s consequences are catastrophic for public health and for social and economic life.  This is no time to escalate the conflict,” says Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, in a statement released this week.

“I am convinced that continued military operations, precisely when the whole nation is suffering a crisis, will have catastrophic consequences for our nation,” warns the cardinal, who is also President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).

“Now is the time for decisions that will build Myanmar as a united, peaceful, prosperous nation and member of the family of nations,” says the cardinal, adding, “Conflict makes Myanmar especially vulnerable.”

Cardinal Bo was recently vocal in taking to task the Chinese authorities for their handling of the coronavirus outbreak that developed into a pandemic. The cardinal said in UCA News column published earlier this months that “lies and propaganda have put millions of lives around the world in danger” and blamed the Chinese Communist Party for their behaviour.

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