VATICAN (LiCAS News): Charles Cardinal Maung Bo, archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, issued an appeal to prioritise the needs of the impoverished and suffering in discussions on developing the foundations of synodality during his intervention at the Synod on Synodality on October 8.
In his remarks Cardinal Bo emphasised that “synodality with the poor is the core theme of the Bible.” He cited the biblical encounter with Moses and noted how God profoundly identifies with the suffering: “God hears the cry of the suffering people.”
The cardinal, who heads the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [FABC] described God’s accompaniment of the liberated slaves as a vital metaphor for humanity’s ongoing struggle for dignity. He has been a prominent advocate for human rights and social justice, particularly since Myanmar’s military coup in 2021.
For over two decades, he has been a leading voice for the Catholic Church in Myanmar, frequently highlighting attention to the growing persecution and displacement faced by Christians in the region.
Drawing on New Testament teachings, he highlighted the radical vision of the Magnificat, where Mary proclaims God who “raises the lowly,” and referenced Jesus’ mission to liberate the oppressed.
Our faith journey is an uncompromising call to recognise the dignity of those living amidst poverty and suffering
“Our faith journey is an uncompromising call to recognise the dignity of those living amidst poverty and suffering,” the cardinal said as he described poverty as a man-made disaster, calling it an “incremental genocide” in poorer nations.
Cardinal Bo reflected on the irony of celebrating the Eucharist in a world where “20,000 children die of hunger every day,” reminding the assembly, “We break the heavenly bread on thousands of altars, aware that millions have nothing to eat.”
The cardinal also invoked the early Christian community’s commitment to fellowship and sharing as a powerful testament to their mission.
“The fellowship of the first Christians melted the arrogance of the Roman Empire,” he said, asserting that a “poor and fragile community replaced power and glory.”
He acknowledged Pope Francis’ vision of dual justice—economic and environmental—as essential for promoting human dignity.
“We need to dig deeper into the biblical models of accompaniment,” he urged, proposing that the practices of early Christians provide a “generative model” for today’s Church.
“Those who forget the poor will be forgotten by Yahweh,” Cardinal Bo said. His bold call to action aims to ensure that the plight of the poor and suffering is never sidelined in the ongoing synodal journey of the Church.
