Loikaw: Myanmar’s Catholic community has received a welcome sign of hope with the return of Christ the King Cathedral and its pastoral center in Loikaw, after the complex spent more than two years under military occupation during the country’s ongoing conflict.
The cathedral, located in Kayah State, was occupied by military forces in November 2023 and used as a military base amid fighting that followed Myanmar’s military takeover in February 2021. Its return to the Diocese of Loikaw is being seen as an important moment for local Catholics who have endured years of uncertainty, displacement, and hardship.
Bishop Celso Ba Shwe expressed gratitude and joy over the return of the cathedral, describing it as a hopeful development for the faithful. However, he noted that the buildings have suffered significant damage and still require extensive repairs before they can fully function again as places of worship and pastoral service.
While some renovation work has already been completed, the pastoral center continues to face major challenges. Essential services such as electricity and water have not yet been fully restored, limiting its ability to serve the community.
Despite these difficulties, parishioners have gradually begun returning to the area. Their return is helping the diocese restart pastoral programs and rebuild community life after months of disruption. Yet Bishop Ba Shwe himself has chosen not to move back into the cathedral complex. Instead, he remains close to the thousands of displaced people scattered across the region.
According to reports from the Vatican’s Fides news agency, the conflict has created one of Myanmar’s most serious humanitarian emergencies. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes as violence spread across several regions of the country.
Bishop Ba Shwe said that more than 300,000 displaced people are currently living in hundreds of camps throughout the Diocese of Loikaw. Many families continue to seek shelter in forests, remote villages, and temporary settlements, while numerous parish churches remain closed or largely empty.
The bishop currently resides at the Church of Mother of God in Sbansu. From there, he regularly travels to refugee camps and isolated communities, offering pastoral care and encouragement to those affected by the conflict.
He explained that the Church’s mission has adapted to the realities of displacement. Priests, religious workers, and volunteers now live among displaced families, sharing their daily struggles and providing spiritual support where it is needed most.
“This is a different way of being a priest,” Bishop Ba Shwe said, noting that pastoral ministry is no longer limited to church buildings. Instead, it is carried out wherever people are living, including camps and temporary shelters. Despite difficult conditions, priests continue to celebrate the sacraments and accompany communities in their faith journey.
The bishop also highlighted the strong spirit of solidarity among local people. Communities continue to support one another while working alongside donors and aid organizations to help families meet their basic needs.
He said this mutual support reflects God’s presence among His people and demonstrates the resilience of faith during times of suffering. For many displaced families, religious faith remains a source of comfort and strength as they wait for the opportunity to return home.
Beyond immediate humanitarian concerns, the Church is increasingly worried about the future of children and young people whose education has been disrupted by conflict. With access to formal schooling limited in many areas, religious sisters and Church workers have stepped in to organize informal classes and educational activities using the resources available to them.
Looking ahead, Bishop Ba Shwe stressed that peace and reconciliation must remain the ultimate goal for Myanmar. He called on political leaders, armed groups, and authorities to pursue dialogue and work together for the good of the nation.
“We desire peace and reconciliation,” he said. “Without reconciliation, there is no peace.”
As Myanmar continues to face political instability and humanitarian challenges, the return of Christ the King Cathedral stands as a symbol of hope. Through prayer, service, and solidarity with those who suffer, the Catholic Church in Myanmar continues its mission of accompanying people in difficult times while trusting in a future marked by peace and healing.