SW News: In spite of the difficulties and the ongoing conflict, the Church in Myanmar has been blessed with ten new priests and a deacon. This comes as a blessing and hope for the conflict-affected Christian community in the Southeast Asian country.

Bishop Peter Hla of Pekhon diocese presided over the priestly and diaconate ordination at Christ the King Cathedral in Loikaw on November 20, when the Church celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King. In his homily, Bishop Hla said, "At present, thousands of people have been displaced due to the conflict, and they are taking shelter in the Loikaw diocese and other dioceses. They are thirsty for the Bible, for justice and peace and truth." The prelate further urged the new priests to listen to Christ in fulfilling the spiritual and physical needs of the faithful, as the Lord has chosen them.

Separately, Fr. Celso Ba Shwe, the apostolic administrator of Loikaw diocese, stated, "It is a special day and blessing for the diocese as well as the Church in Myanmar as we get a chance to celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King and priests' ordination."

Nine of the newly ordained priests come from the Diocese of Loikaw, and the remaining priest and deacon are members of the Missionaries of Faith community.

Hundreds of priests and religious took part in the ceremony in the capital city of Kayah State, which has faced severe attacks since the military coup in February 2021. Earlier in 2021, the minority community of Catholics in Myanmar rejoiced over the ordination of 13 priests in March and six in June.

Myanmar's military has shelled and carried out airstrikes against at least seven Catholic churches and a convent in the diocese. Reportedly, the conflict forced half of the state's population to flee their homes. In 16 dioceses, the Myanmar Church has nearly 1,000 priests and 2,000 religious nuns. Churches have been attacked, the clergy has been detained since the military takeover, and many Christians have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the military junta's combat operations. Since February 2021, 12,000 people have been arrested, and about 1,600 have died.