Cardinal Bo and the Bishops of Asia: No to nuclear war, the world needs healing
Avert in every possible way the risk of a nuclear war, promote dialogue and bring global healing to the world: this is the hope expressed in an appeal launched today, March 4, by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC). “ The world stands at an existential crossroads” , says Cardinal Bo in a statement released on behalf of the FABC, entitled “ Resist the Risk of a Nuclear Winter, Rally for the Global Peaceful Spring” and sent by the Cardinal to Fides.
The Prelate says he is concerned about the frightening possibility of the “ nightmare scenario of a global nuclear holocaust” : “ The massive attacks on Ukraine and the impending threat of use of weapons of mass destruction have brought the world to the threshold of self-annihilation. The heart-wrenching scenes of Ukraine attacks have shocked the world” , he says.
The Cardinal joins Pope Francis in appealing to the rulers of Russia and to all other global leaders “ who believe in the power of violence to solve world problems” , to choose “ peaceful means and dialogue” in the United Nations.
“ We are heartened by the united response of the world community in the UN where more than 140 countries voted against this war of attrition which threatens to destroy human security, respect for global institutions” , reads the message of the President of the FABC.
“ Exactly a century ago – the text recalls – when a spiraling pandemic strangled the world, megalomaniac men unleashed the demons of two sadistic world wars. More than 135 million people were killed by war in the 20th century. The memory of the holocaust remains a festering wound in the human conscience” . “ Humanity is the main stakeholder in these geo-strategic war games. History is a cruel teacher” . “ There were no victors in those wars. History mummified those evil men in unmarked graves as fossils of human cruelty” .
Hence the heartfelt message to humanity: “ Let not history repeat itself in the 21st century. The world has suffered a lot, encountering the multidimensional crisis of a pandemic that killed millions dealing a blow to the economy, impoverishing millions. This is the time for global healing not hurting” .
The Cardinal appeals to the Russian leadership: “ We appeal directly to President Putin. Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, tasked with promoting world peace and ensuring the rights of every nation. We appeal to Russia to cease attacks on Ukraine, and return to the UN for peaceful resolution of all issues. “ In conclusion, Cardinal Bo acknowledges: “ Peace is always possible; peace is the only way to the future of humanity” .
