ASIA/MYANMAR - The new Bishop of Mindat and the 17th diocese: a gift of divine mercy

Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – The episcopal ordination of Msgr. Augustine Thang Zawm Hung and the erection of the new Diocese of Mindat in the Burmese state of Chin, in northwestern Myanmar, were considered a gift of divine mercy by the Catholic people of Myanmar. Amidst difficulties, conflicts, and the consequences of the violent earthquake that devastated the country a month ago, the baptized in Myanmar wanted to gather around the new bishop and gathered on April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Yangon, where the establishment of the Diocese of Mindat and the episcopal ordination of Bishop Augustine Thang Zawm Hung took place. The faithful also gave an emotional farewell to the late Pope Francis, recalling that on January 25, 2025, the Pontiff had officially proclaimed the establishment of the Diocese of Mindat, which was based on part of the Diocese of Hakha and is now the 17th diocese in Myanmar.
The faithful prayed and were moved by the figure of Pope Francis, who repeatedly mentioned the tragic situation in Myanmar in his appeals, "which showed that he carried Myanmar in his heart," they said.
Also thanks to that special closeness expressed by the Holy See, the Burmese faithful have shown great resilience in faith, in dramatic times: the creation of a new diocese testifies to the dynamism and growth of the Church in Myanmar, "it is a reason for joy for the universal Church and a reason for hope for the future" they said. The Bishop - they emphasize in the new diocese - is not alone in his mission: priests, nuns, catechists, volunteers and faithful all have a great spirit of collaboration. The faithful of Mindat have shown, in these times of serious crisis, that they want to build bridges of friendship, brotherhood and reconciliation. In one of the poorest regions of the country, in the Chin state, crossed by armed conflicts, the population of the new diocese of Mindat and its Bishop are ready to "give a testimony of Christian life, practicing the culture of dialogue and encounter, with closeness to the people, good works and the construction of fraternal and welcoming communities: in this way it is possible to hope and see God at work", they note.
The principal consecrator of the ordination ceremony was Archbishop Marcus Tin Win of Mandalay, as the Archbishop of Yangon, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, was in Rome for the Pope's funeral and the Conclave. Archbishop Marco Tin Win said, "God wants us to recognize that his mercy is greater than our sins, so that we can invoke him with confidence, receive his mercy, and through us, it will be passed on to others. In this way, everyone will be able to share his joys." The Archbishop spoke about the various difficulties facing the people of Chin State, Burma, due to the political situation and the suffering following the great earthquake. He said, "Amidst hardships and difficulties, we cannot limit ourselves to looking down, but are invited to raise our gaze to the Lord," recalling Christ's promise "to always be with us." At the end of the celebration, Archbishop Andrea Ferrante, Chargé d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Myanmar, recalled Pope Francis, who was close to the Burmese people in recent years with his prayers and constant appeals for dialogue and peace. He also encouraged the new Bishop of Mindat, who is called to the great responsibility of "bringing the peace of Christ to the flock entrusted to him." A path that "is not easy, but not impossible, if it is stimulated and nourished by prayer and fraternal cooperation within and outside the Church." "The new bishop," he recalled, "has the task of making the community grow in faith, hope, and charity, and of ensuring communion with the Episcopal Conference and the universal Church, under the guidance of the Pope." He added: "Amidst insecurity, the ongoing armed conflicts, the poverty of the population, the dramatic situation of families and young people, which generates fear, we must remember the words of Pope Francis: 'War strikes in a special way the most vulnerable and leaves indelible marks on families... the paths of peace are paths of solidarity, because no one is saved alone. Peace is possible." He concluded by encouraging everyone to work with the new bishop to carry out effective and fruitful missionary work, to "build bridges of friendship, fraternity, and reconciliation." (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 6/5/2025)

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