A Catholic priest who was earlier reported to have been detained by Myanmar’s military in the Diocese of Banmaw was released on Monday, May 17.
Father Columban Lar Di was arrested by soldiers on May 13 while traveling from Banmaw to Myitkyina.
Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of the Diocese of Pathein said officials of the State Administration Council turned over Father Lar Di and his companions to Bishop Raymond Sumlugam of Banmaw.
“Father Lar Di was well hosted and brought back without any injury,” said Bishop Hsane Hgyi. “This is the will and grace of God,” he added.
“As it is said in the Gospel, if you are brought to the court, the Spirit will help you what to talk,” said the bishop of Pathein.
The prelate told his priests that being in prison is an opportunity to preach, stressing the importance of reading and reflection on the Scriptures.
“Let us thank God for the release of Father Columban Lar Di … Let us give thanks to God,” said the priest.
Father Lar Di is the first Catholic priest to have been arrested by security forces in Myanmar.
The priest used to be the director of the youth group in the Diocese of Banmaw. He is currently parish priest of Prang Hku Dung parish.
The release of the priest came as an activist group reported that more than 800 people have been killed by Myanmar’s security forces since a wave of protests broke out across the country in February.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army ousted Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government and detained her and officials of her National League for Democracy party.
The military has responded to protests by pro-democracy supporters in cities and towns with lethal force, while there has been an upsurge in fighting between the army and ethnic rebels in border areas and newly formed militia forces. - Raymond Kyaw Aung/RVA News
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
