MUMBAI, India – Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon says Christians celebrate Holy Week reflecting “the devastating toll of conflict on the birthplace of Jesus, Ukraine, and also on our own soil.”
“Let us raise our voices in fervent prayer for peace,” the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar and president of the Asia Bishops’ Conference Federation said in a message.
“As we embark on this holy journey through the season of Lent, a time of introspection and reconciliation, let us be united in response to the resonating call for peace that emanates from the depths of the heart of Pope Francis and echoes throughout our wounded world,” the cardinal said in the message, titled “Embracing the Dawn of Peace: A Call to End the Long Nights of Conflict and Fear.”
“Let us all kneel together in solidarity, praying to the Almighty to dispel the darkness of conflict and usher in a new dawn of hope and harmony,” he said.
Bo further said, “Let us pray to the Almighty to grant us the divine gift of peace with justice, leading us to a brighter future.”
“Let us cherish the abundant human resources bestowed upon our land and nurture them to flourish rather than letting them wither amid the turmoil of war. Investing in the next generation is investing in a sustainable peace,” he said.
Pope Francis said in his address to bishops on January 8 that as the year 2024 begins, the world is being “increasingly affected” by conflict, and “the distinction between military and civilian objectives is no longer respected.”
“There is no conflict that does not end in some form of indiscriminate attack on the civilian population,” he said. “The events in Ukraine and Gaza are clear proof of this,” he said.
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In his Lenten message, Bo said the world should heed Francis’ “clarion call” to embrace dialogue and reconciliation as the foundation of our collective journey toward peace.
“Let us ignite the flame of hope in our hearts, steadfast in our resolve to eliminate the divisive forces of hatred and conflict,” Bo said.
“Pope Francis has often invited young people to ‘not let hope be stolen.’ In the face of the struggles and problems the world faces today, we must revive our hope by trusting in the Risen Christ, who conquered death. Received and gave us true life,” writes the Cardinal.
He said, “This hope brings light to life, dispels despair, creates solidarity and counteracts all the seeds of violence that the culture of indifference and confrontation sows in our society and prepares the ground for wars.” Is.”
“Together, let the world pledge to transform the instruments of war into instruments of peace and all fear into unwavering faith. May our words echo the universal language of brotherhood, and may our actions be guided by the pursuit of peace,” Bo added.
“In this sacred quest for peace, let us invoke divine grace to soften the hearts of those caught in violence and empower them to embrace the path of reconciliation,” he said.
