Myanmar’s newly appointed Bishop promises to work together with clergy, religious, and the faithful

Bishop John Saw Yaw Han, the newly appointed Bishop of Keng Tung Diocese in Myanmar, promised the Catholics to work together with clergy, religious, and the faithful in his video message on November 11.  

The bishop assured that “As much as I can, I will work together with priests, men and women religious, catechists, and laypeople in the Diocese of Keng Tung for the spiritual benefits, social development, and peaceful coexistence with people in the environment as long as I am alive.”

The video message was published for the Catholic faithful in Keng Tung Diocese via social media, particularly on the Diocesan Office of Social Communication Facebook page.

The prelate invited the Catholics, “Let us serve the best according to the respective apostolic work assigned to each one,” and promised that he will "collaborate with priests, men and women religious, catechists, and laypeople in the Diocese by God’s grace,”

He added that he will serve with a joyful heart till the last moment if God will allow him to stay in His Kingdom as one of the least and let them know that he will expect the least position in service.

Bishop Saw Yaw Han thanked God and Pope Francis for an appointment and said, “I am grateful to God and Pope Francis for choosing me to serve the Diocese of Keng Tung although I am not worthy due to my weaknesses.”

Bishop Saw Yaw Han appreciated the late PIME (The Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions) missionary priests, Bishops, lay ministers, and their successors who were indigenous Bishops, priests, nuns, catechists, and lay Catholics, both the dead and alive, in the Diocese of Keng Tung for the apostolic works they did.

The evangelization started in Keng Tung with the efforts of Bishop Emmanuele Sagrada (PIME) of Taungngu Diocese by sending three PIME priests, Father Francesco Portuluppi, Father Lombard and Father Erminio Bonetta to the Eastern Shan State in 1912.

The newly appointed Bishop invited all the Catholic faithful by saying, “let us do our best to receive God’s protection, to be sons and daughters who rely on God’s might without discouragement despite many difficulties in this missionary journey.”

In his conclusion, Bishop John Saw Yaw Han requested all the faithful to support him with prayers so that he may be able to serve well.

“May God bless each one of you,” blessed the prelate, and said, “Thank you.”

Bishop John Saw Yaw Han was serving as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Yangon and titular bishop of Buffada since 2015. 

Pope Francis appointed Msgr. John Saw Yaw Han as Bishop of the Diocese of Keng Tung on November 4.

The installation of the newly appointed Bishop will be on December 14, 2022, said Father Stephen Ano, the Secretary of the Diocese on November 12.

At present, he is the Secretary-General and Treasurer of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar and the President of the Episcopal Commission for Ecumenism in Myanmar. - Mary Ann Su Latt Htwe