Charles Maung Bo

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Stored: Charles Maung Bo

His Eminence Charles Maung Bo
Bishop of Archdiocese of Yangon
Home diocese: Archdiocese of Yangon
Other diocese 1: Diocese of Lashio
Other diocese 2: Diocese of Pathein
Other diocese 3: Diocese of Myitkyina (Apostolic Administrator)
Ordination: 9 April 1976 by Bishop Aloysius Moses U Ba Khim
Consecration: 16 December 1990 by Archbishop Alphonse U Than Aung
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 14 February 2015 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Charles Maung Bo
29 October 1948
Monhla, Shwebo District, Myanmar
Died:
Nationality: Burman
Education: Nazareth Aspirantate (Anisakan), Salesian Seminary (Mandalay)
Motto: "Omnia Possum in Eo" (I Can Do All Things in Him)
Role: Diocesan
Theology: Moderate
Region: Asia
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, SDB, born (1948-10-29) October 29, 1948 (age 77), is a Burmese prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of Yangon since 2003 and Myanmar’s first cardinal, elevated by Pope Francis in 2015.[1] A Salesian of Don Bosco, Bo has been a leading voice for peace, interreligious dialogue, and human rights in Myanmar’s Buddhist-majority society, notably advocating for the Rohingya and condemning the 2021 military coup’s violence.[2] His motto, “Omnia Possum in Eo” (I Can Do All Things in Him), reflects his Eucharistic devotion and commitment to unity amid Myanmar’s crises, including war and humanitarian challenges.[3] At 76, Bo is one of nine Asian cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, bringing his perspective from a conflict-ridden nation.[4]

Ordained a priest in 1976, Bo served as Bishop of Lashio (1990–1996), Bishop of Pathein (1996–2003), and apostolic administrator of Myitkyina since 2020, while leading Yangon’s archdiocese.[5] As president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (2000–2006, 2020–present) and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (2018–2024), he has promoted synodality, religious freedom, and climate action, aligning with Pope Francis’ priorities.[6] In 2025, during the episcopal ordination of Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun, Bo called for national unity to counter Myanmar’s ongoing violence and division.[7]

Biography

Birth and early life

Charles Maung Bo was born on October 29, 1948, in Monhla, Shwebo District, Myanmar, to John and Juliana Aye Tin, in a devout Catholic family of ethnic Burman descent.[1] His father, a farmer, died when Bo was two, leaving him to be raised in a religious village with Portuguese Catholic roots dating back 400 years.[2] Educated by a local parish priest, Don Luwi, from ages five to seven, Bo grew up in a “God-minded” community, fostering his early vocation.[1]

From 1962, he studied at a Salesian-run boarding school in Mandalay, deepening his faith through catechesis and exposure to Myanmar’s Catholic minority.[3] His rural upbringing amid Buddhist neighbors shaped his commitment to interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding.[2]

Education

Bo studied at the Nazareth Aspirantate, a Salesian seminary in Anisakan, Pyin Oo Lwin, from 1962 to 1976, completing philosophy and theology training.[3] He also attended a Salesian school in Mandalay, learning under Father Giacomin Fortuanto.[1] His formation focused on pastoral ministry, Salesian spirituality, and catechesis, preparing him for leadership in Myanmar’s small Catholic community of approximately 800,000.[8]

Fluent in Burmese, English, and with some knowledge of local dialects, Bo’s education emphasized service to the poor and dialogue with Buddhists, aligning with his later advocacy.[3] His Salesian training instilled a devotion to the Eucharist and Mary, central to his ministry.[2]

Priesthood

Bo entered the Salesians of Don Bosco, making his first profession on May 24, 1970, and final profession on March 10, 1976.[3] Ordained a priest on April 9, 1976, by Bishop Aloysius Moses U Ba Khim in Lashio, he served as parish priest in Loihkam (1976–1981) and Lashio (1981–1983), and taught at Anisakan’s Salesian seminary (1983–1985).[9] He was apostolic administrator (1985–1986) and prefect (1986–1990) of Lashio.[1]

His priesthood focused on pastoral care, education, and interfaith engagement, addressing Myanmar’s ethnic and religious diversity.[5] His early ministry in Shan State built his reputation as a unifying figure in a conflict-prone region.[2]

Bishop

Appointed the first Bishop of Lashio on July 7, 1990, by Pope John Paul II, Bo was consecrated on December 16, 1990, by Archbishop Alphonse U Than Aung.[5] Transferred to Pathein on March 13, 1996, he served until his appointment as Archbishop of Yangon on May 24, 2003, installed on June 7, 2003.[1] Elevated to cardinal on February 14, 2015, he received the titular church of Sant’Ireneo a Centocelle.[3]

As archbishop, Bo has championed human rights, notably for the Rohingya, and condemned the 2021 coup, while serving as apostolic administrator of Myitkyina since 2020.[7] In 2025, he participates in the May 7 conclave, representing Myanmar’s perspective.[4]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Diocese of Lashio Bishop 7 July 1990 13 March 1996 First bishop of the diocese
Diocese of Pathein Bishop 13 March 1996 24 May 2003 Also apostolic administrator of Lashio (1996–1998)
Archdiocese of Yangon Archbishop 24 May 2003 Present Elevated to cardinal in 2015, first Myanmar cardinal
Diocese of Myitkyina Apostolic Administrator 2020 Present Concurrent with Yangon role

Significant events

  • Entered Salesians of Don Bosco, 1970.[3]
  • Ordained priest, 1976.[1]
  • Appointed apostolic prefect of Lashio, 1986.[9]
  • Named Bishop of Lashio, 1990.[5]
  • Transferred to Diocese of Pathein, 1996.[1]
  • Elected president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, 2000–2006.[6]
  • Appointed Archbishop of Yangon, 2003.[1]
  • Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2015.[1]
  • Appointed to Vatican congregations for Evangelization and Culture, 2015.[1]
  • Elected president of Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, 2018–2024.[6]
  • Named apostolic administrator of Myitkyina, 2020.[2]
  • Called for unity during Myanmar crisis, 2025.[7]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Bo were identified.

Written by the bishop

  • No books authored by Cardinal Bo were identified. He has issued pastoral letters, homilies, and statements through the Archdiocese of Yangon, but no published books are documented.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Charles Maung Bo". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Maung_Bo. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Cardinal Charles Maung Bo". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-charles-maung-bo/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Cardinal Charles Maung Bo". Vatican Press. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_bo_cm.html. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope". Vatican News. 2025-04-29. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Charles Maung Cardinal Bo". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bocm.html. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar new president of FABC". Vatican News. 2018-11-21. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-11/cardinal-charles-bo-fabc-president.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Cardinal Bo urges unity and healing amid Myanmar crisis". Radio Veritas Asia. 2025-03-20. https://www.rvasia.org/church-asia/cardinal-bo-urges-unity-and-healing-amid-myanmar-crisis. 
  8. ↑ "Meet Myanmar’s First Cardinal, Charles Bo". National Catholic Register. 2015-05-22. https://www.ncregister.com/news/meet-myanmar-s-first-cardinal-charles-bo. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "H.E. Cardinal Charles Bo". Religions for Peace. 2020-10-13. https://www.rfp.org/leadership/h-e-cardinal-charles-bo/. 
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