Cardinal Charles Bo SDB, the Archbishop of Yangon in Myanmar, paid a special visit to the Divine Word Missionaries Marsfield community in Sydney recently to meet the confreres and thank the Province for establishing a new mission in his Archdiocese.

Cardinal Bo’s visit came during his tour of Australia, as a guest of Catholic Mission.

He joined the SVD confreres for evening prayer and a meal.

The Cardinal welcomed the SVD AUS Province’s acceptance of his invitation to set up a mission in Myanmar, focusing on the Biblical Apostolate. The first missionaries have already there.

“The Catholics in Myanmar are hungry for the Word of God,” he said.

“The Church in Myanmar, after decades of isolation, is in need of formation, especially in the area of their experience and knowledge of the Bible, which is the primary source of faith for us Christians.”

Cardinal Bo said he hopes the Divine Word Missionaries will offer Biblical formation on many levels  to the local Church in Myanmar.

“We want the SVD to come and spread the Word as well and help us to be able to spread the Word,” he said.“We hope they will offer programs for people on the grassroot level as well as for our clergy, religious and church leaders in Myanmar.

”Cardinal Bo said his visit to Australia was important to him because he believes Australia can help provide moral support to the people in Myanmar, especially in these testing and complex times for the country.

“I would like to ask the people of Australia to be patient with us. After 70 years of military suppression and isolation, Myanmar needs time and patience,” he said.

Provincial, Fr Henry Adler SVD, said the Cardinal’s visit to the Marsfield community was an important event for the SVD AUS Province, signifying the growing relationship between the Province and the people of Myanmar.

“His visit to us was very much appreciated and seen as a gesture of his commitment to a future collaboration between the SVD and the Yangon Archdiocese,” Fr Henry said.

“It has encouraged us further in these very early days of our Myanmar mission, as we look to the future there with Spirit-filled hope and enthusiasm.”

Cardinal Bo’s tour of Australia took in visits to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, where he spoke at several events.

PHOTO: Cardinal Charles Bo SDB (Catholic Mission)