After years of military occupation, the Christ the King Cathedral in Loikaw, Myanmar, has been returned to the faithful and priests, who celebrated the Easter Vigil together. 

In November 2023, the Christ the King Cathedral complex in the capital of Kayah State was occupied by the army, which used it as a base to fight the resistance forces. The pastoral centre was bombed, forcing Bishop Celso Ba Shwe, along with priests, religious, and 80 faithful who had taken refuge in the church, to flee and begin a life in exile, far from the episcopal see.

Since then, the local Church has endured great suffering, and the community has been at risk of dispersing as many churches and parishes in the Diocese of Loikaw were closed due to the absence of the faithful – all of whom had fled into the forests to escape the fighting.

"Today, the situation remains extremely critical, characterised by ongoing armed conflict and a severe humanitarian emergency," Fr Paul Tinreh, one of Loikaw's Catholic priests, said.

However, the Catholic community has welcomed the release of the Catholic complex after the military abandoned it. Two priests have taken possession of the church and the pastoral centre, and so, for the first time in three years, priests, religious, and faithful have gathered with joy and emotion for the Easter celebrations.

Bishop Celso Ba Shwe, meanwhile, was celebrating Easter with the people who have been displaced.

Still residing in the village of Soudu, the bishop remains close to the many Catholic families living in dire conditions, bearing witness to a profound faith.

"I stand by their side and, with other priests and religious, we make our solidarity known to these faithful. We support the faith of the people and, together with them, we live Easter, the passage from darkness to light. We ask God for a time of peace and reconciliation," he said.

Source: Vatican News.