Myanmar cardinal stresses peace and justice in Christmas message

Myanmar cardinal stresses peace and justice in Christmas message

Peaceful elections offer chance to emerge from decades of conflict, Bo says

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has called on people of goodwill to work for peace and justice in Myanmar in the aftermath of November elections.
"This is a great time to be in this country. By reconciling with one another, forgetting all the past darkness of hatred, we can make Christ's message of peace possible to all people of goodwill," Cardinal Bo said in his Christmas message released on Dec. 22.
Cardinal Bo said that after many years of expectation it is natural to look for quick results, but that democracy is a process "not a drama that ends with a night of celebration."
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy swept Nov. 8 polls against the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party that took power in 2010 following five decades of military rule.
Cardinal Bo congratulated the people of Myanmar for conducting a peaceful election.
"It is our duty to build a nation without war and want. With goodwill we can and we will do that," he said.
Myanmar has grappled with religious tensions since anti-Muslim violence erupted in Rakhine state in 2012. The violence spread to other parts of the country led by hard-line Buddhist monks from the Committee of the Protection of Race and Religion, known as Ma Ba Tha. But Cardinal Bo warned that "all attempts to abuse religion for political purposes need to be resisted by all religions and religious leaders."
"The goodwill of religion is the capacity to live in harmony with different faiths and religion," he said.
The cardinal also raised concern over the displacement of people after 60 years of conflicts. He called on all stakeholders to explore government-led solutions to ongoing issues.
"Peace cannot be built just on paper. Peace can be achieved only with our goodwill and sincere hearts," he said.