Myanmar Archbishop joins Vatican interfaith council

Myanmar Archbishop Marco Tin Win is among the Asian prelates Pope Francis has appointed as new members of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Jul 11, 2020

By John Zaw
Myanmar Archbishop Marco Tin Win is among the Asian prelates Pope Francis has appointed as new members of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

The announcement of the appointments was made at the Vatican on July 8.

The Pontifical Council is the central office for the promotion of interfaith dialogue in accordance with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, particularly the Nostra aetate declaration.

It is responsible for promoting mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between Catholics and followers of other religious traditions; encouraging the study of religions; and promoting the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue, according to Vatican news.

The other Asian prelates joining the council are Indonesia’s Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo and Japan’s Bishop Yoshi nao Otsuka.  Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado of Vasai, Bishop Raphy Manjaly of Allahabad  and Joseph Dình Dúc Dao of Xuân Lôc in Vietnam are also among the newly named members.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Filipino prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation  of Peoples, is also among the new members.

Archbishop Tin Win became an ordinary of Mandalay Archdiocese in June 2019 after Archbishop Nicholas Mang Thang stepped down after reaching the retirement age of 75.

He has a strong commitment to interfaith harmony and has carried out projects with Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus. He has also written books about interfaith dialogue.

The 60-year-old bishop was the secretary of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar.

When Archbishop Tin Win was appointed as the new prelate in Mandalay, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon said: “His deep spirituality, his friendship with monks and his efforts at dialogue with religions and culture are the timely gifts he brings to Myanmar.” --ucanews.com