ASIA/MYANMAR - Banmaw, fire destroys St Patrick's Cathedral

Banmaw (Agenzia Fides) - The Cathedral of Banmaw, a town in the state of Kachin, in Myanmar, was destroyed by fire on Sunday 16 March, on the eve of the feast of St Patrick, the Saint to whom it is dedicated.

The Cathedral was allegedly set on fire during operations conducted in the area by soldiers of the SAC (State Administration Council), the military junta that currently holds power in Myanmar.

The fire, according to testimonies sent to Fides, broke out at 4 in the afternoon on Sunday, 16th March. The priest's house, the three-storey building that houses the diocesan offices and the high school had already been set on fire on 26 February.

The diocese of Banmaw, established in 2006 and led by Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam, borders China to the east and covers a largely mountainous area of 10,741 square kilometres. Before the current conflict situation it was inhabited by a civilian population of more than 407,000 (with more than 27,000 baptized Catholics), belonging to different ethnic groups. (PA/FB) (Agenzia Fides, 17/3/2025)

Share:

area crisis

---

---

local churches

---

---