Cardinal Bo: Pope's visit will give new life to Church in Asia

Charlotte Smedes – Vatican City

“Our churches are full during Sunday services. You will notice that many Asians who immigrate to other countries keep their faith alive.”

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), described the Asia and Oceania that Pope Francis will visit during his 45th apostolic journey abroad to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore from September 2 to 13.

In the interview, Cardinal Bo spoke of a vibrant and diverse Church, despite political, economic, social, environmental and cultural challenges, and the fact that “it is not always easy to live the Christian faith in some parts of Asia.” “It is still a living and dynamic reality in different ways.”

Question: Pope Francis is making his 45th apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania after his last visit abroad in September 2023. How do you see the importance of this visit?

Many people in Asia have only heard of the Pope, and today, to a greater extent than before, they can see him with the help of digital media. For the general public, the Pope is somewhat “distant”.

The Pope's coming to Asia creates not only excitement, but also a renewed fervor for the faith and gives the Asian people a renewed sense of faith.

What is even more encouraging is that Pope Francis has chosen to visit smaller, lesser-known countries, such as Papua New Guinea and East Timor, during this visit to Asia, creating an opportunity for the world to get to know the Church in these countries. There is excitement among the people, not only because they will see the Pope in person, but I am sure that it will mean a renewal in the life and faith of the local churches.

Question: As a president Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, what do you think is the significance of the visit? One thinks, for example. On the wealth of Singapore, the poverty of Papua New Guinea, the Muslim majority in Indonesia, the Catholic majority in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor. What is interesting to note?

The unique thing about Asia is its diversity of cultures, religions and traditions. Although Christians are a minority in most Asian countries, except for the Philippines and East Timor, we see a growing faith.

The churches in Asia may be small, but they are vibrant and vital. The Pope will have a first-hand view of the dynamic diversity of the churches in Asia and of the faith of the people. Whether rich or poor, majority or minority, the faith of the people remains unshakable despite the many different challenges faced by different countries.

Question: What can the global church learn from the church in Asia?

I will think of three words: peace and harmony, and what makes peace and harmony real, i.e. dialogue. In the face of the many challenges facing the churches in Asia, our goal is to seek peace and harmony. Everyone seeks peace and harmony, and that is why the Church, when faced with political oppression, poverty, climate devastation, and so on, must work with others to restore peace and harmony to the lives of those directly affected.

In Asia, we learn cooperation, dialogue and respect for one another. But above all, we learn to live together as brothers and sisters despite difficulties. I believe that the path to peace and harmony through dialogue is what Asia can offer the universal Church.

Question: What can you tell us about the witness of the Church in Asia?

The churches in Asia are alive and vibrant. It is enough to see that many of our churches are full during Sunday Mass. You will notice that many Asians who immigrate to other countries keep their faith alive. They are our missionaries in these ancient churches. They bring renewed hope and new enthusiasm to their “new homes.”

There are also many persecuted churches in Asia. It is not always easy to live out the Christian faith in some parts of Asia. Despite these challenges, political, economic, social and cultural, their faith is not only alive but dynamic in many ways.

Question: What does the church in Asia, or in each of these four individual churches, need from Rome? Or from their communities?

It is difficult for me to say what individual churches need from the universal Church, but my prayer is that the Pope’s visit will lead to a renewed zeal for faith and greater openness to one another, so that we can live in peace and care for one another like brothers and sisters, each taking care of the other, regardless of differences.

Question: The Pope visited you in Myanmar before his trip to Bangladesh, and we also remember his trip to Japan and Thailand. How will this trip to Asia create new memories?

Every visit by the Pope is unique and refreshing. I am certain that the Pope has a message for Asia in this visit, as he has in previous visits, and I am certain that the memories will come naturally and in due time for us to see their effects.

But my personal hope is that the Pope's visit will renew the life and faith of the churches in Asia, so that they can become living witnesses to the world of our flourishing Church.

Question: In your opinion, what role will climate and environmental issues play, given that this region is increasingly affected by natural disasters resulting from the climate crisis?

The effects of climate change are devastating in Asia. Since climate protection is close to the Pope’s heart, I am sure he will address this issue.

We can no longer be spectators, but must actively participate in promoting environmental care for the common good of all. The Church in Asia must be a leader in efforts to bring about this change in the region and in the world.