Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – The biggest challenge for the people of God in the new Diocese of Hpa-An, created in January 2009 from the territory of the Archdiocese of Yangon, is to "bring closeness, pastoral care, and special attention to the peoples living in the mountains, contributing to their human development, education, and health services, bringing them the love of Christ." This is what the new Bishop of Hpa-An, Bishop Justin Saw Min Thida, who took office in recent days, said during the dedication ceremony of the new cathedral of the diocese, dedicated to St. Francis Xavier.
As Fides learns from the local Church, the celebration for welcoming the new Bishop was attended by the Apostolic Delegate to Myanmar, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, 9 bishops of various dioceses in Myanmar, many priests and religious, and thousands of lay faithful.
A great enthusiasm was noted among the faithful of the new diocese, where the Good News was first brought by the priests of the Paris Foreign Missions (MEP) in the early 1900s.
The Diocese of Hpa-An is located in the region of Kayin, home to the ethnic group of the same name, a highly mountainous area. This population requires special assistance and care, on a social and ecclesial level, as they live in villages in inaccessible places, where the people mainly live off of agriculture and grazing. "The seed of the Gospel and love of Christ must come to them," said the Bishop, saying that this will be a valuable task entrusted to the laity, especially to young people.
The new diocese covers an area with more than 1.6 million people from diverse ethnic groups, especially Kayin as well as Pa-O, Mon, Shan, and other indigenous groups. The number of Catholics is 20,781. There are 12 parishes, 15 diocesan priests, 28 religious men and women, 40 catechists, and 7 major seminarians. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/12/2009)
