Myanmar: Father Paul Lasang La, Builder of Diocesan Shrines, dies at 84

Myanmar's Myitkyina diocese announced the death of Father Paul Lasang La on November 28. He was 84 years old.

The priest's motto in life was, "We are not for ourselves, but for Christ."

Father Paul Lasang La is hailed as the builder of diocesan shrines. When Father Paul Lasang La served in Tang Hpre parish, he initiated the construction of the Marian Peace Shrine at Tang Hpre Village, where the rivers of Mali Hka and N Mai Hka meet. Father Paul Lasang La also helped build another shrine on the Holy Cross Mountain in Alam Village (Alam Udang Bum) and created road access to the shrine.

In 2021, the Myitkyina diocese ost three priests:  Father Michael Myint Aung, Father Johnny Sharoi Hkun Naw and Father Paul Lasang La.  And the seat of the bishop is vacant.

"It is a very sad moment for the faithful in the diocese, but I feel that the Good Lord is inviting and drawing us to come closer to Him," said Father Joseph Gawlu Yung Wa, the Chancellor of the diocese.

Father Joseph Gawlu Yung Wa says that Father Paul Lasang La was a "farsighted man with a wonderful vision for the people and the diocese.

"We are treasuring the Alam Holy Cross Shrine, Our Lady of Peace Shrine right at the confluence of May Kha and Mli Kha which he (Father Paul) silently but with deep prayer pioneered," said Father Joseph Gawlu Yung Wa.

"In the history of Myanmar, he  (Father Paul)  led the building of a Marian Shrine on the island where the two rivers of Mali Hka and N Mai Hka meet in the Diocese of Myitkyina, Kachin State," said the Vicar General of the diocese, Father  Peter Hka Awng Tu.

Paul Lasang La was born on June 9, 1938. He was ordained a priest on March 22, 1969. 

Father Nawng Maw says that "Father Paul Lasang La was the third Kachin priest to be ordained and the oldest priest when he died at 84. He was also the first to start a nursery school in Myitkyina Diocese.

Father Paul Lasang La is the first director of the St. Luke's Catechist School in Tang Hpre Village.

Father Leo Gopal, the Director of St. Luke College, said, "Father Paul was an expert in the literature. He also started the St. Luke Catechist School.

Father Paul Lasang La is the first director of the St. Luke's Catechist School in Tang Hpre Village.

Father Pail Lasang La wrote the script and directed a short movie titled "Gwi Yang Rawt Yu U," meaning if you are not afraid, get up.

Father Paul Lasang La was known to help the poor in the mountain villages get educated and improve their living standards.