A Catholic pastoral center in northern Myanmar has been reduced to rubble after an aerial bombardment by the Burmese military.
The attack targeted the grounds of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Nan Hlaing, located in the rural diocese of Banmaw, but miraculously resulted in no casualties, Vatican’s Fides News Agency reported.
“Five bullets and two aerial bombs fired at our church grounds hit the building but did not injure anyone,” confirmed Jesuit priest Wilbert Mireh, parish priest of St. Michael’s, a church with more than a century of history.
The strike comes amid escalating violence in Kachin State, where clashes between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) have displaced thousands.
The attack left the church community reeling, yet their faith remains unshaken. “The bombing caused damage to the building, but no injuries. We thank God that we are safe, although people here are fighting for survival, there are no schools, clinics or shops,” said Father Mireh.
Communication with the outside world has been severely disrupted. “Electricity, telephone, and other services have been absent in our area since July 2024,” Mireh reported, adding that he had to travel to the Chinese border to access internet services.
Located approximately 186 kilometers south of Myitkyina, Banmaw is home to around 65,000 people from various ethnic backgrounds, including Kachin, Bamar, Shan, and Han.
The ongoing conflict has drastically altered life in the region. Many of the city’s residents have fled, with only around 20,000 remaining, according to local sources.
Despite the ongoing dangers, the local Catholic community continues to hold religious services in makeshift settings. Given the risks associated with gathering inside the church, which has already sustained damage, Mass is often celebrated outdoors under the trees.
The attack has reinforced the community’s devotion to St. Michael, the archangel after whom their church is named.
Education has been particularly affected by the conflict. “Today, the fact that children do not have school is one of the serious consequences of the civil war,” said Father Mireh, one of around 30 Jesuits in Myanmar.
Even before the coup, conflict had displaced over 120,000 people. In the past two years alone, nine out of the diocese’s 13 parishes have been impacted by violence, leading to further displacement and suffering.
