• Burmese
Sunday, June 22, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Head of Myanmar Catholic Church Calls for Int’l Understanding of Country’s Struggles

Zarni Mann by Zarni Mann
December 23, 2019
in Burma
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo in Yangon in 2018 / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo in Yangon in 2018 / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

5.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

YANGON—Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the leader of the Myanmar Roman Catholic Church, called on the world to understand the people of Myanmar and their struggles and to not condemn, as he delivered his Christmas message on Saturday.

The Cardinal said in his Christmas message that Myanmar has its own struggles for democracy and has its own legitimate reasons for its security concerns. He said that the international community needs to understand Myanmar because any punishments against the country would affect all citizens of Myanmar.

“The world needs to understand the struggle that democracy faces in this country. The international community needs to accompany this nation in its fledgling democracy. All stakeholders are trying to recast a new Myanmar. Any sanctions will adversely impact our simple people,” the cardinal said.

RelatedPosts

Bangladesh Recalls Ambassador to Myanmar

Bangladesh Recalls Ambassador to Myanmar

May 29, 2025
2.6k
Myanmar Authorities Drag Their Feet Over Rebuilding of Mosques, Churches

Myanmar Authorities Drag Their Feet Over Rebuilding of Mosques, Churches

May 22, 2025
588
Paranoid Junta Turns to Foreign Expertise After 4 Years of Chaos; and More

Paranoid Junta Turns to Foreign Expertise After 4 Years of Chaos; and More

May 10, 2025
1.6k

 

Though the cardinal’s message didn’t mention the issue specifically, his request to the world came a few weeks after Myanmar testified at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case over the Rohingya genocide brought by The Gambia. The international community has criticized the Myanmar government and its military for the events in 2017 in Rakhine State, in which more than 700,000 Rohingya fled to neighboring Bangladesh amid “clearance operations” by the Myanmar military in their conflict with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

 

The international community has threatened Myanmar with economic sanctions and the UN has called the events in 2017 a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” with genocidal intent. The military has denied the allegations, saying the crackdown was a response to the coordinated attacks on security posts in Rakhine State by ARSA, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi hasdenied there was any genocidein Myanmar.

 

The State Counselor told the ICJ that the Rohingya issue was an internal conflict. She also asked the court to reject the case because the country is preparing further courts martial and the submission of the final report of the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) will be coming very soon.

 

Earlier in December, before Daw Aung San Suu Kyi led the Myanmar delegation to the ICJ in The Hague, Cardinal Maung Bo appealed to the international community torefrain from punishingthe people of Myanmar collectively for the military’s crackdown in 2017 in Rakhine State. Rather, he said, those who commit rights abuses should be punished individually.

“The international events involving Myanmar today could force a relapse. Another relapse would be a shattering journey down a slippery rock. The people of Myanmar need understanding, advising and guidance from the international community, not condemnation,” said the cardinal, expressing his worries about the setbacks and challenges the country is facing.

Along with pressure to stop ongoing human rights violations and prosecute perpetrators, Myanmar faces the threat of direct sanctions against its civil and military establishments, if the ICJ decides it is responsible for genocide. The cardinal also expressed concern over the impacts that sanctions could have on trade and the economy, which could affect ordinary people in Myanmar.

 

“Any sanction without consideration for the welfare of ordinary people will be a sad commentary on the world’s concern for our people. That is the message this Christmas: understand Myanmar people, their dreams and their tears.”

Cardinal Maung Bo also stated in his Christmas message that Myanmar, in turn, needs to understand the world’s concern about the suffering of others as the country seeks peaceful resolution and the return of the Rohingya.

As he urged the world to create no more nightmares for the citizens of Myanmar, the cardinal also urged the government of Myanmar to engage with the international community to build further friendship, trust and reconciliation.

“The rulers of this nation need to engage with the international community.  No man is an island. No country is an island. Myanmar needs more international friends,” he said. “There were painful events in our country and we must have the courage to accept the unkind acts and seek reconciliation with the international community and the affected people of this nation.”

Cardinal Maung Bo has raised concerns in the past over political and socioeconomic issues in Myanmar. He was elected by the Vatican to be the first Myanmar cardinal to chair the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) in November 2018.

You may also like these stories:

Cardinal Charles Bo Urges Int’l Community Not to Punish All Myanmar People Over Rohingya

In Thailand, Pope Condemns Exploitation of Women, Children, Migrants

Myitsone Dam ‘Must Be Stopped’: Cardinal Bo

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Cardinal Charles Maung BoCatholic churchChristiansInternational Court of Justice (ICJ)ReligionRohingyaThe Hague
Zarni Mann

Zarni Mann

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Myanmar Junta Boss Charged with Hypocrisy Over Pope Francis’ Death
Burma

Myanmar Junta Boss Charged with Hypocrisy Over Pope Francis’ Death

by The Irrawaddy
April 24, 2025
10.8k

Taking time out from bombing houses of worship across the country, Min Aung Hlaing sent a message of condolence to...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Rejects Bangladeshi Call for Rohingya State
Burma

Myanmar Junta Rejects Bangladeshi Call for Rohingya State

by Maung Kavi
May 2, 2025
10.4k

A political party in Bangladesh says a Rohingya-majority area of Rakhine State should become an independent state for returning refugees.

Read moreDetails
The Uncertain Future of Myanmar’s Rakhine State
Guest Column

The Uncertain Future of Myanmar’s Rakhine State

by David Scott Mathieson
March 19, 2025
9.6k

The Arakan Army must now consolidate its unprecedented territorial gains in Rakhine State and contend with humanitarian, intercommunal and international...

Read moreDetails
Once Upon a Time in… Myanmar
Books

Once Upon a Time in… Myanmar

by David Scott Mathieson
October 14, 2024
9.5k

American photojournalist Greg Constantine’s ‘Ek Khaale’ project assembles old photos and documents to reclaim the Rohingya community’s identity.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Christian Leader Rearrested Hours After Release in Amnesty
Burma

Myanmar Christian Leader Rearrested Hours After Release in Amnesty

by The Irrawaddy
April 18, 2024
9.3k

Sources said Dr. Hkalam Samson, his wife and a third person were taken from the Baptist minister’s home early Thursday....

Read moreDetails
Around 100 Myanmar Junta Personnel Flee to Bangladesh: Dhaka
Myanmar’s Crisis & the World

Around 100 Myanmar Junta Personnel Flee to Bangladesh: Dhaka

by Muktadir Rashid  
July 12, 2024
6.6k

Bangladeshi government sources say around 100 more junta border guards and soldiers have crossed the border from northern Rakhine State...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Hundreds of people march in downtown Yangon to demand action be taken against police officers who revealed the name of the toddler victim in the ‘Victoria’ rape case.

Protesters Call for Action Against Police for Revealing Toddler Rape Victim’s Identity

A demonstrator has a slogan written on his forehead as he attends a protest against a new citizenship law outside Jamia Millia Islamia university in New Delhi on Dec. 22, 2019. / REUTERS

Modi's Party Loses Indian State Election Amid Protests Over Citizenship Law

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

2 days ago
878
The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

2 days ago
655

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Certifying a Chinese Security Invasion; Boosting Ties With Nuclear North Korea; and More

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Changes Election Law Ahead of Polls

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Residents of Myanmar Ruby Hub Speak Out as TNLA Mining Takes Toll

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.