In a gesture of interreligious solidarity, a delegation from Religions for Peace Myanmar visited His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo on the morning of October 17, 2025, to offer early birthday greetings ahead of his 77th birthday on October 29.

The cordial meeting, which took place at the Cardinal’s residence, included approximately twenty representatives from the Catholic Church, the Myanmar Council of Churches, and Hindu and Muslim communities. The early visit was arranged due to scheduling conflicts that would prevent most members from attending on his actual birthday.

Dr. Yin Yin Maw, Secretary General of Religions for Peace Myanmar, explained the purpose of the gathering. “We come every year to extend our good wishes to His Eminence,” she told attendees, noting that Cardinal Bo has been a foundational figure for the organization. She confirmed that the Cardinal serves as the patron of the group, which he first chaired after its establishment in Myanmar in 2012.

Myanmar is the 90th member country of the global Religions for Peace movement, which operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and is dedicated to promoting peaceful co-existence through dialogue and charitable works.

In his response, Cardinal Bo expressed gratitude for the visit and shared a personal reflection on his own journey with interfaith engagement. He revealed that in his younger years, even after becoming a priest, he had been reluctant to meet with people from other faiths and communities.

“Meeting members of other religions is an opportunity to show our respect to them and to promote mutual understanding,” said Cardinal Bo. “Our lives become more relaxed, and our knowledge of other religions is enhanced.”

The Cardinal credited his formative experiences for shaping his current perspective. He recalled that his school years, spent among students of various ethnic groups, laid the groundwork for relating to people from different backgrounds. This understanding deepened through his extensive service across the country.

“After serving in seven different dioceses, I have come to see more deeply how we can live and work together with people of various faiths and ethnicities,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, Cardinal Bo emphasized a message of universal fraternity. “All may differ in beliefs or nationalities, but we are all members of one family,” he stated.

The visit underscored the ongoing efforts by religious leaders in Myanmar to foster harmony and mutual respect amid the nation’s diverse spiritual landscape.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service