As the Pope's apostolic visit to Asia approaches, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, president of the Union of Asian Bishops' Conferences, gave an inside look at the significance of the upcoming visit in a wide-ranging interview with Vatican Media.
Deborah Castellano Lubov
“One only needs to see many churches filled to capacity at Sunday Mass to realise that many Asians who have emigrated to other countries have retained their faith…”
In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican Media, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), spoke about Pope Francis' visit to Asia and Oceania, which will take him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore from September 2 to 13. The trip will be the pope's 45th international trip and one of several to Asia.
In the interview, Cardinal Bo detailed a vibrant and diverse Church that “not only remains alive, but remains dynamic in many ways” despite political, economic, social, environmental and cultural challenges, and despite the fact that “in some parts of Asia it is not always easy to live the Christian faith.”
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Your Holiness, Pope Francis will embark on his 45th apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania, following his last international visit in September 2023. How do you assess the importance of this visit?
For many people in Asia, they have only heard of the Pope and today they have more opportunities to see him than before with the help of digital media. But for ordinary people, the Pope is somewhat “distant”. The Pope’s visit to Asia will not only bring excitement, but will also generate new enthusiasm for the faith and give new faith to the people of Asia, because it will show that they are not far from the heart and mind of the Pope. What is even more encouraging is that during his visit to Asia, Pope Francis has chosen to visit small countries that are little known to the world, such as Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, which will create an opportunity for the world to get to know the Church in these countries. People are excited not only because they can see the Pope in person, but I am convinced that it will also renew the life and faith of the local Churches.
Logo for the Pope's upcoming trip to Timor-Leste, Singapore, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
As the president of the Union of Asian Bishops' Conferences, how does the diversity of Asian countries give special significance to this visit – the wealth of Singapore, the poverty of Papua New Guinea, the overwhelmingly Muslim Indonesia, the overwhelmingly Catholic former Portuguese colony of Timor-Leste – what are some interesting points to note here?
Asia is unique in its diversity in terms of cultures, religions and traditions. Although Christians are a minority in most Asian countries, except the Philippines and Timor-Leste, the faith is growing. The Church in Asia is small but vibrant and alive. The Pope will see firsthand the dynamic diversity of the Church in Asia and the faith of its people. Rich or poor, majority or minority, the faith of its people remains unwavering despite the different challenges they face in different countries.
“Christians are a minority in most Asian countries, except the Philippines and Timor-Leste, but the faith is growing. Churches in Asia are small but vibrant and alive.”
What can the world church learn from the churches in Asia?
Three words come to mind: peace and harmony, and what makes peace and harmony a reality: dialogue. Despite the numerous challenges facing the Church in Asia, our goal is to seek peace and harmony. Everyone seeks peace and harmony. That is why, when faced with political repression, poverty, climate destruction, etc., the Church must work with others to restore peace and harmony in the lives of those directly affected. In Asia, we learn to cooperate, to dialogue, to respect each other. But above all, we have learned how to live together as brothers and sisters despite the difficulties. Opening a path to peace and harmony through dialogue is what Asia can offer the world Church, I believe.
Can you tell us about the Church's witness in Asia?
The Church in Asia is vibrant. One only needs to see many churches packed at the time of Sunday Mass. One will notice that many Asians who emigrated to other countries keep their faith. They are missionaries to these old churches. They bring new hope and enthusiasm to their “new homeland”. We also witness many churches being persecuted throughout Asia. It is not always easy to practice the Christian faith anywhere in Asia. Despite these challenges – political, economic, social and cultural – the faith continues to be not just alive but dynamic in many ways.
“You only need to see many churches filled to capacity during Sunday Mass. You will notice that many Asians who have emigrated to other countries have kept their faith. They are our missionaries…”
So what does the Church in Asia, or these four individual churches, want from the church? Or what do they want from their respective societies?
It is difficult for me to say what each individual Church wants from its own Church, but I pray that the Pope's visit will produce a renewed enthusiasm for the faith and a greater openness to living in peace as brothers and sisters, caring for one another despite whatever differences we may have.
Pope Francis and Cardinal Charles Maung Boe arrive in Myanmar on their 2017 apostolic journey.
The Pope visited you in Myanmar before going to Bangladesh, and similarly, I remember the emotion he felt when he returned to Asia before the pandemic, on a trip to Japan and Thailand. What new memories will he create on this trip to Asia?
Every Papal visit is unique and fresh. I am convinced that in this visit, as in his previous ones, the Pope will bring a message to Asia, and I am sure that the memories will naturally be revived and that the impact will be experienced in due course. But my own hope is that the Papal visit will bring about a renewal in the life and faith of the Church in Asia, and that it will be a living witness to our thriving Church.
And the region is increasingly hit by natural disasters caused by the climate crisis, to what extent do you think climate and environmental protection issues will impact it?
In Asia, the impacts of climate change are devastating. Climate protection is a topic close to the Pope's heart, so I have no doubt he will address it. We can no longer remain bystanders but must be actively involved in promoting climate protection for the common good of all. The Church in Asia must also be an actor in bringing about this change in the region and in the world.
“We can no longer remain on the sidelines. We need to be actively involved in promoting climate protection for the common good of all. The Church in Asia must also be a protagonist in bringing about this change in the region and the world.”
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