New Catholic Cardinal in Myanmar Warns Against Religious Extremism

Myanmar's first Catholic cardinal has warned against religious extremism, saying it can hinder the reform process in the Buddhist-majority nation.

Charles Maung Bo, one of the 20 named as cardinals by Pope Francis on Sunday, said Buddhist nationalism targeting the Muslim minority may cause the latter to link with international extremist groups who may seek revenge.

"So far they have been more on the quiet side. But if they come with the force of an international community of Muslims, then violence, terrorism, suicide bombers and all these things could happen," Bo told Reuters in an interview.

The previous archbishop of Yangon, whose Catholic flock total only 1.6 percent of the 51-million population, asked the government to step up its efforts to constrain hate speech by radical monks as well and promote mutual understanding.

Myanmar's semi-civilian government has removed controls on speech, association, and media after emerging in 2011 from half a century of military rule. However, with such reforms came a rise in Buddhist nationalism. Muslims, who form 5 percent of the country's population, have been marked as targets by Buddhist nationalists.

At least 240 people, mostly Muslims, have been killed by the sectarian violence since June 2012. Around 140,000 Muslims, meanwhile, have been displaced and remain in camps.

The country also suffers from ethnic conflict as rebels push for autonomy, some for six decades already. The government has pushed for a national ceasefire, but Reuters reported that the peace process has faltered.

The cardinal warned that the military may seize control again if the peace process fails and the violence continues. "We hope that chaos won't happen," said Bo.

He also asked the military to boost its efforts to build trust with ethnic armed groups.

Bo also called out for more monks to speak out against extremism, saying: "For peace in the country the Buddhist monks also have quite a major role to play, too."