ASIA/MYANMAR - Resignation of Bishop of Pyay and appointment of successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI on 3 December, 2010 accepted Bishop Joseph Devellerez Thaung Shwe's resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Pyay (Myanmar), in accordance with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. The Holy Father appointed as Bishop of Pyay (Myanmar), Father Alexander Pyone Cho, currently fidei donum priest in the Diocese of Salina, USA.
Fr Alexander Pyone Cho was born on 10 July, 1949 at Oatshitpin in the Diocese of Pyay. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at St Joseph's National Major Seminary in Yangon. He was ordained a priest on 15 March, 1975 in the diocese of Pyay.
He then held the following positions: 1975-1976: assistant pastor of the Cathedral of Pyay; 1976-1981: pastor of the Cathedral and rector of the diocesan Minor Seminary; 1981-1982: Parish Priest of Thayet; 1982-1988: parish priest of Thandwe, 1988-1993: spiritual Father at the National Major Seminary (Philosophy) in Pyin Oo – Mandalay; 1993-1997: Rector of the National Major Seminary (Philosophy) in Pyin Oo; 1997-2005: Pastor of the Cathedral. Since 2005 he has been a fidei donum priest in the Diocese of Salina, Kansas, United States.
The Diocese of Pyay (1961), suffragan of the Archdiocese of Yangon, has an area of 80,937 sq. km and a population of 9 million inhabitants, of whom 25,000 are Catholic. There are 20 parishes, 35 diocesan priests, two men religious, 67 sisters and 15 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 03/12/2010)