Catholics in Myanmar

A Catholic priest in Myanmar’s Diocese of Loikaw called for an end to attacks on churches and other places of worship.

Pope Francis on Tuesday invited believers of all faiths to set aside a minute to pray for peace, especially for Myanmar and the Holy Land.

Children from the Karen tribe in Mazaw village in the parish of Myeik, Mawlamyine diocese, received first communion on May 30.

A Catholic Church has been repeatedly hit by artillery shells on June 6, Corpus Christi Sunday, as Myanmar’s military continued its offensive in the eastern part of the country’s Kayah State.

The Diocese of Mawlamyine in Myanmar was able to ordain two new deacons even in the midst of political crisis in the country.

A member of the Order of Preachers, known as the Dominicans, from Myanmar has been ordained priest in Spain on May 24.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Myanmar’s highest Catholic Church official, expressed “immense sorrow and pain” over the attack on churches in the country this week that resulted in the death of civilians.

Statement of Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon following the reported attack on churches in eastern Myanmar

A Catholic bishop in Myanmar has been leading the faithful in offering nightly prayers for the country starting this week.

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.

Pope Francis called on the people of Myanmar “to keep the faith” and to not allow themselves to be divided amid the conflict brought about by the military coup in the Southeast Asian country.

The Church’s social arm Karuna (Caritas) Myanmar has stepped in to provide humanitarian aid as thousands of civilians have been displaced as a result of intense fighting in Myanmar’s Kachin state.

Authorities in Myanmar arrested a group of young Christians who distributed food and other goods in urban poor communities most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Pro-democracy activists pledged on April 13 to hold a series of protests this week to maintain pressure on military rulers during the country’s most important holiday of the year.

Policemen and soldiers entered several Catholic churches in Myanmar, especially in the Diocese of Pathein, in recent weeks, Radio Veritas Asia learned.

On March 17, Pope Francis launched a strong appeal for peace in Myanmar, saying during his general audience: “I too kneel down on the streets of Myanmar and say: Stop the violence. I too reach out my arms and say: May dialogue prevail!”

The Myanmar nun who kneeled in front of police to protect anti-coup protestors has said she was surprised yet encouraged by Pope Francis mentioning her act of courage.

“Once again, and with great sorrow, I feel it is urgent to mention the dramatic situation in Myanmar, where many people, especially the young, are losing their lives to offer hope to their country,” said Pope Francis.

SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, hears the cry of the courageous Burmese people as they nonviolently resist the Myanmar military coup overturning a legitimate and democratic election.

In a joint statement, SIGNIS, Pax Christi International, and the Focolare Movement called for an end to what they described as the “disinformation campaign” by the military in Myanmar to ensure and justify their stay in power.