January 27, 2016, 7:34p.m. – CEBU CITY – Papal Legate Charles Maung Cardinal Bo on Wednesday called for a more
equitable distribution of the world’s resources in a bid to fight off
poverty.
In the press conference on Day 4 of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), Cardinal Bo called for equal distribution of food in all countries, particularly in his homeland, Myanmar. Bo, the archbishop of Yangon, previously called for a “third world war” against poverty during the Opening Mass of the IEC at Plaza Independencia.
“All the [Burmese] generals and Yangones get 90 percent of the resources of the country while 80 or 85 percent of the [Burmese] people are poor,” Cardinal Bo told the media.
Like the Philippines, poverty in Myanmar is largely concentrated in the rural regions, where people rely on agriculture for their livelihood.
He said the Church, government and communities need to have a “system where resources and the riches are shared.”
The cardinal said the Burmese people were expecting a smooth transition of government from a military junta to a democratic one led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Filipino faith and hospitality
Cardinal Bo said he had a lot of things to report to Pope Francis, including Filipinos’ hospitality, good cuisine and smiles.
“This reception is the warmest welcome I have received,” Cardinal Bo said.
The Myanmar prelate, however, said the most important thing he would report to the Holy Father was the faith of the people.
“Despite all the natural disasters, the only thing that remained with the Filipinos is faith. Faith in the Church, faith in the Eucharist and faith in God,” Cardinal Bo said.
He praised the zeal of Filipinos, particularly those working overseas, in spreading the Catholic faith all over the world. John Gabriel M. Agcaoili
