The Myanmar prelate was picked to lead the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. The mandate of the current holder, the archbishop of Mumbai Card Gracias, expires at the end of December. A big council of Asian bishops is planned for 2020.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Card Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Indian Bishops' Conference (CBCI), welcomed the election of Card Charles Maung Bo, archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar), as his successor at the helm of Asia’s Catholic bishops.
“We are pleased with the election of Cardinal Bo who takes over as the next FABC president,” Card Gracias told AsiaNews. “His Eminence will take forward the FABC with creative mission.”
FABC Acting Assistant Secretary General Fr William LaRousse announced Card Bo’s appointment yesterday, noting that Myanmar’s first cardinal will take over as of 1st January 2019 at the end of the mandate of the Indian cardinal (who was in office for two consecutive terms).
He also said that the election took place on 16 November in Bangkok (Thailand), during a meeting of the FABC Central Committee.
Card Gracias also announced a “plenary Asian Council of Bishops to discuss different matters about the possibilities of us being at the service of the country, at the service of the people and at the service of the Church in Asia.”
According to the archbishop of Mumbai, "Cardinal Bo is the right person to lead us as we are preparing for this big plenary council in 2020.”