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Kalay (Fides News Agency) – The inauguration of St. Patrick Parish in the Diocese of Kalay, in northwestern Myanmar, has become a powerful sign of hope and encouragement for the long-suffering people of the region. Situated between the Sagaing Region and Chin State, the Diocese of Kalay lies in one of the areas hardest hit by the civil conflict that erupted following the military coup in February 2021 and continues to endure an extremely severe humanitarian and social crisis.
In recent days, more than 600 Catholics—most of them internally displaced persons—gathered in the town of Khaikam Myo to celebrate the historic inauguration during a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Felix Lian Khen Thang and concelebrated by twelve priests.
The bishop received a warm and festive welcome upon his arrival: parishioners, dressed in traditional Chin attire, greeted him at the entrance gate with cultural dances, traditional songs, and a joyful procession before accompanying him into the church compound, where Rev. Fr. Sylvester Pau Van Sang, appointed as the first parish priest, was present.
During the inaugural Mass, Bishop Felix Lian Khen Thang also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 60 young people. In his homily, he explained the establishment of the new parish as "a blessing from God and a visible sign of the continued growth and development of the Diocese of Kalay."
The Bishop noted that the new parish comprises six villages with 210 Catholic families. Its establishment, he said, is intended "to provide closer pastoral care, ensure the regular celebration of the sacraments, and make the daily celebration of the Holy Mass more accessible to the faithful," recalling that "the Eucharist is a source of grace, consolation and strength amid the hardship and uncertainty experienced by the people."
"The permanent presence of a parish priest is a visible sign of Christ’s presence among His people," Bishop Felix added.
Referring to the Sacrament of Confirmation, he noted that "the candidates receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which strengthen and encourage them, supporting their families and the entire parish community."
The Diocese of Kalay, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Mandalay, is located in northwestern Myanmar, mainly in the Sagaing Region, with parts of its territory extending into Chin State. Centered on the city of Kalay, where St. Mary's Cathedral and the diocesan see are located, it serves approximately 60,000 Catholics. Bordering India, the diocese encompasses an ethnically mixed population, (including a large Chin community and other minority groups) near the Indian border.
The Kalay area has been devastated by the civil war that followed the 2021 military coup and is immersed in a multifaceted crisis: the social fabric has been destroyed, many young people have fled to avoid forced military conscription, and the humanitarian emergency continues to worsen.
Sagaing remains one of the country's most violent regions and the epicenter of armed resistance against the military junta: the area is the scene of frequent clashes between Myanmar's armed forces, local People's Defence Forces (PDF) and Chin resistance groups.
Against this backdrop, the humanitarian situation is dire: there is a high number of internally displaced persons, food insecurity, prolonged electricity shortages, and limited access to healthcare and humanitarian assistance have left an estimated 80 percent of the population living in extreme poverty. The local Catholic Church, together with other Christian communities, continues to assist those affected despite operating under extremely difficult conditions.
Because of the intensity of the fighting, the local Church has been forced to close around half of its parishes, while most Catholics of the diocese have fled to forests, the mountains of Chin State or the border with India, seeking refuge from the violence. In response to the emergency, the Diocese has converted many of its remaining facilities into first-aid centers and is estimated to be hosting around 40,000 displaced persons of different ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations who have fled the conflict.
According to local sources, regular army soldiers has on several occasions targeted churches, convents and Catholic schools, suspecting them of providing logistical support or shelter to rebels. Among the damaged buildings in the Kalay area are: the Catholic church in Lungtak, hit in an army air raid in May 2024 together with a nearby Baptist church; the Baptist church in the village of Pyidaw, destroyed in airstrikes in April 2023; and the Baptist church in the village of Kanan, damaged during heavy fighting. (PA) (Fides News Agency, 7/7/2026)
