Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - A recent pastoral visit by Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, apostolic delegate in Myanmar, to the diocese of Pathein guided by the Bishop Mgr John Hsane Hgyi, was an event of grace, marked by prayer, which served to strengthen the faith of the local community.
This was the first pastoral visit in this diocese by Mgr Pennacchio who, on the recent visit, was accompanied by other bishops of Myanmar and by Fr. Dominic Thet tin, secretary of the Bishops’ Conference.
The diocese of Pathein is situated in northern Myanmar and has a vivacious and flourishing Catholic community of 72,000 faithful, assisted by 93 priests, about 250 men and women religious, and 36 seminarians. It was created by Pope Pius XII in 1954, the year the Catholic hierarchy was established.
On his arrival in the presence of over a thousand people, priests, religious and laity, Archbishop Pennacchio presided a concelebration of the Eucharist and the ordination of three deacons,.
The programme continued with a visit to the Novitiate of the Congregation of Saint Paul Missionaries, where the Apostolic Delegate encouraged the novices and Brothers; then Archbishop Pennacchio blessed a piece of land on which a new church will be built in the area of St John’s parish.
A convivial moment with the Bishops, priest and religious of the territory was an opportunity for the visitor to become more familiar with the situation and the local church personnel. Archbishop Pennacchio told those present: “I have come on behalf of the Holy Father, as a humble servant of God. I am a bridge between the Pope and the Church in Myanmar and I bring you the Pope’s blessing”.
In the following days the Delegate presided a Jubilee mass for the 25th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of the Bishop, Bishop John Hsane Hgyi and also Fr Anselm Maung Maung and Fr Felix Soe Win Bro as well as the 25th anniversary of the religious profession of a group of Sisters of Saint Francis Xavier SFX. Archbishop Pennacchio concluded his visit with the inauguration of the Pathein Pastoral Centre named after Pope Benedict XVI. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/3/2007 righe 26 parole 265)
