Bishop Celso Ba Shwe of Loikaw has issued a pastoral letter urging resilience and hope among the faithful amidst the escalating conflict in Myanmar.
The prelate, forced to abandon Loikaw as the military occupied key religious sites, addressed priests, religious individuals, and the faithful in his letter.
“We are in the middle of an armed conflict in which, in the face of destruction and political chaos, we have had to abandon all our parishes,” he said.
The prelate stressed that the situation in the territory of the diocese, which is “affected by the clashes, is very dangerous, most of the parishes have been abandoned and are empty”.
“This raises the question of whether the churches still function and whether the Diocese of Loikaw still exists,” he said.
Bishop Ba Shwe underscored that the diocese “is not just a geographical area but a community” that gathers in communion.
“The main dynamic of the community is the proclamation of the Gospel and the celebration of the Eucharist. In our case, the Church founded by Christ is alive and present even in suffering,” he said.
“It is important that we all remain united and build a community that crosses this desert, gathered around the Gospel and the Eucharist. We know that Christ, the Good Shepherd, cares for the flock for which he gave his life,” he added.
Over 20 out of the diocese’s 41 parishes have been vacated due to the ongoing conflict, leading to the displacement of priests, nuns, and the faithful.
“I thank you priests for your closeness to the bishop and the people, for your generous pastoral collaboration. I thank the religious, men and women, and all the faithful who are true disciples of Christ, for your adherence to the Gospel and the constant celebration of the Eucharist,” the letter read.
The prelate urged adherence to the Gospel despite the challenges, saying, “As we go through this harrowing experience, we can be confident that this is His will for us now, the best way to proclaim and testify to His power.”
The message came as the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, took control of Namhsan in northern Shan State.
“The main objective is to take down the military dictatorship, which is what Myanmar people [have] always want[ed],” said TNLA spokesperson Tar Aik Kyaw, emphasizing the alliance’s commitment to challenging the military junta that emerged after the February 1, 2021 coup.
The TNLA, alongside two other ethnic militias, initiated Operation 1027 on October 27, aiming to counter Myanmar’s military junta. Despite ongoing strikes by the junta’s air force, the offensive persists, with UN data reporting over 660,000 people displaced since its commencement.
The bishop’s letter encouraged the faithful to support one another, echoing the broader impact of the conflict on places of worship and communities.
Bishop Shwe entrusted his diocesan community to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, seeking peace amidst the turmoil.
