Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has called on the people of Myanmar to take bold steps toward peace, reconciliation, and renewal as the country enters 2025.
In his New Year message, the prelate urged citizens and leaders alike to end violence, invest in youth, and commit to healing and reconciliation.
“The cycle of violence must cease,” Cardinal Bo emphasized. “We must unite to shield civilians—especially innocent children—from harm. Broken families must be made whole, and the voiceless must be heard. Let us dream of a Myanmar where no life is diminished, no community marginalized, and where peace is not an abstract ideal but a shared reality.”
The cardinal framed his call to action within the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope, proclaimed by Pope Francis, describing it as a sacred time for “restoration, reconciliation, and renewal.”
Drawing from Biblical tradition, he explained that the Jubilee year represents a “pilgrimage of hope,” where justice is restored, wounds are healed, and dignity reclaimed. For Myanmar, he said, this message “resonates like a lifeline.”
A Nation in Need of Healing
Cardinal Bo acknowledged the immense suffering gripping Myanmar, highlighting the toll of ongoing violence, displacement, and poverty on its people.
He lamented the plight of the nation’s youth, who he described as “stripped of opportunity and their rightful dreams.”
“Our beloved Myanmar groans under the weight of immense suffering,” the cardinal said. “No one wins in this relentless churn of violence.”
Despite the hardships, he called on Myanmar’s people to rise above despair and become “hope generators,” working collectively to rebuild the nation with courage and determination.
Three Paths to Restoration
Cardinal Bo outlined a vision for Myanmar’s path to reclaiming its dignity and hope.
He called for an immediate end to violence and the prioritization of protecting civilians, particularly children, emphasizing that “no life is diminished, no community marginalized.”
Describing young people as “the architects of peace,” he stressed the importance of providing education, safe spaces, and opportunities for the younger generation, saying, “By providing education, safe spaces, and opportunities, we empower them to rebuild not only their lives but the soul of our nation.”
He also highlighted the necessity of justice for healing and trust for reconciliation, stating, “Reconciliation is not just a process; it is a choice—a choice to love beyond the pain, to build beyond the destruction.”
Vision for True Peace
Cardinal Bo called for a broader understanding of peace, saying, “True peace transcends the absence of war; it embodies the presence of justice, security, and dignity for all. Peace is built on the foundation of trust, nourished by compassion, and sustained by hope.”
A Prayer for Myanmar
“May 2025 be the year when peace blossoms in every heart and every corner of Myanmar. May the displaced find shelter, the marginalized be uplifted, and the youth rise with unshakable hope to claim the future they deserve,” the prelate said.
He appealed to his compatriots to forgive, heal, and rebuild, urging them to answer the cries of the suffering “with compassion that transforms, with action that restores, and with love that unites.”
