FABC head hails Pope’s choice of naming new cardinals

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) President Cardinal Charles Maung Bo has hailed Pope Francis’ choice of naming 21 news cardinals.
 
“Pope Francis’ decision to appoint new cardinals reflects church’s unity in diversity, so many cultures, and languages, but diversity is strength. We celebrate diversity,” Cardinal Bo said in a statement.
 
The Holy Father on May 29 announced the list of names who are to be elevated as new cardinals on August 27.
 
The creation of new princes of the church by Pope Francis reflects a wide variety of cultures, contexts, and pastoral ministries.
 
Eight of the newly named Cardinals come from Europe, six from Asia, two from Africa, one from North America, and four from Central and Latin America.
 
The new cardinal-elects from Asia include Archbishop Virgilio Do Carmo Da Silva of Dili (East Timor), Archbishop Filipe Neri António Sebastião of Rosário Ferrão of Goa and Damão (India), Archbishop Anthony Poola, of Hyderabad (India), Archbishop William Goh Seng Chye of Singapore and Archbishop Giorgio Marengo, Prefect of Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) and Archbishop Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy (South Korea).

“The latest appointments of new cardinals show the special love for the Holy Father, focusing on Asia and his love for suffering Churches like China, Vietnam, Myanmar, and other countries of Asia,” Cardinal Bo said.  
 
“The 21st Century now is the right time for Asia the spread the Good News. We are a small Church of 2.3 percent though over 46% of the world population,” said Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar.