Myanmar Cardinal aims to work towards religious tollerance

(Vatican Radio) Cardinal designate Charles Maung Bo, Myanmar’s first Catholic Cardinal appointed recently by Pope Francis was interviewed  by Sean Patrick Lovett while in Manila for the Pope’s apostolic journey to Asia.

Bo says his aim as Cardinal is to work toward peace and reconciliation between the country’s divergent religious groups, particularly majority Buddhists and minority Muslims.

Listen to the interview: 
 
Expressing concern for the religious-based violence in Myanmar, especially against the Rohingya Muslim minority, Bo speaks of the problems in his nation which is grappling with a rise of nationalistic Buddhism and increasing intolerance toward religious minorities. 

After decades of military rule, he says that perhaps the people do not have the maturity to live in peace in democracy.

Bo explains that Myanmar’s Catholic community is small, numbering around 800,000 in a country of 51 million, most of whom are Buddhists. But the church has been active in the nation for over five centuries.

He expresses his hope that his new appointment will give him more credibility before the government, people and international community in his push for reconciliation.