Charles Maung Bo was born on 29 October 1948 in Monhla Village, Shwebo District, in the Archdiocese of Mandalay. He studied at the Nazareth Salesian Aspirantate at Anisakan, Pyin Oo Lwin, from 1962 to 1976, made his first profession on 24 May 1970 and his final profession on 10 March 1976, and was ordained a priest of the Salesians of St. John Bosco at Lashio on 9 April 1976. After parish work at Loihkam and Lashio and service as a formator at Anisakan, he was apostolic administrator (1985–1986) and then apostolic prefect (1986–1990) of Lashio.
When Lashio was raised to a diocese on 7 July 1990, he became its first bishop and was consecrated on 16 December 1990. St. John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Pathein on 13 March 1996. On 24 May 2003 he was nominated Archbishop of Yangon and was installed on 7 June 2003. He was president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar from 2000 to 2006.
Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 14 February 2015 — Myanmar's first cardinal — assigning him the titular church of Sant'Ireneo a Centocelle. On 14 July 2018 Pope Francis named him a president delegate of the Synod of Bishops on young people, and he became president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences on 1 January 2019. He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
I want to get all the different commissions and offices (of the FABC) together so we can focus on issues of peacebuilding in Asia, where there is conflict and disagreement. The aim is peace with triple dialogue: dialogue with government, with the poor, interreligious dialogue.
An immense tragedy is taking place on the seas of Southeast Asia. A new wave of boat people is adrift in the seas, forced to flee poverty and conflicts in Burma and Bangladesh.
Compassion and mercy are the two eyes of this nation, which allow a vision of peace and dignity. Let mercy and compassion flow like a river in our country.
Enough is enough. Time for healing. The people in the country cannot bear any more pain and violence.
Places of worship have been violated. Deaths occurred inside the churches. The bishops’ conference condemned the church bombings and also the inhuman killing.
Remember Myanmar and help in the struggle for peacemaking. Avoid providing more weapons. Advocate for greater humanitarian access. Peace is possible. Peace is the only way.
Major Works & Initiatives
First Bishop of Lashio
Appointed first bishop when the Lashio prefecture was elevated to a diocese on 7 July 1990 and consecrated on 16 December 1990, per the Holy See biography; Wikipedia adds that he founded the Congregation of St. Paul's Brothers and Sisters in 1990.
President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar
Served as president of the Myanmar bishops' conference from 2000 to 2006, per the Holy See biography.
President delegate of the Synod of Bishops on Young People
Appointed by Pope Francis on 14 July 2018 as a president delegate of the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, on young people, the faith and vocational discernment, per the Holy See biography.
President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC)
Took office on 1 January 2019 per the Holy See biography, after election in November 2018 to succeed Cardinal Oswald Gracias; told Catholic News Service he would focus the FABC on peacebuilding in Asia through dialogue with governments, with the poor, and interreligious dialogue.
Controversies
Support for Aung San Suu Kyi during the Rohingya crisis
Cardinal Bo has been one of the strongest Asian church voices for the Rohingya: in a May 2015 statement he urged Myanmar's government to suppress hate speech and help Rohingya refugees fleeing by sea, saying a community cannot be demonized and its rights to identity and citizenship cannot be denied. At the same time, Catholic News Service reported in January 2019 that he had continued to support Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi despite growing criticism from Western nations, NGOs and the United Nations over her inability to prevent what had variously been labelled 'ethnic cleansing' and 'genocide,' and her long periods of silence. Commentators noted, and Bo's position reflected, that she shared power with a military that retained control of defence, border control and home affairs. The tension between his defence of the Rohingya and his support for Suu Kyi has been noted by critics and defenders alike; the sources fetched do not record him retracting either position.
Sources
- Holy See Press Office — biography
- Wikipedia
- Catholic News Agency — Cardinal Bo: Myanmar has endured an 'extended Way of the Cross', 1 February 2022
- National Catholic Reporter — Myanmar's cardinal urges end to hate speech, help for fleeing Rohingya, May 2015
- Catholic News Service via CatholicPhilly — Myanmar cardinal to focus on peacebuilding as he takes over helm of FABC, 10 January 2019