Myanmar: The Loikaw Cathedral Is Bombarded and Occupied by the Burmese Army

Loikaw is the capital of Kayah State, located in the mountainous region of eastern Myanmar. This region is inhabited by the Karen people, on the border of Thailand. It is one of the areas where fighting rages due to “Operation 1027,” which was launched some weeks ago by rebel militias against the military belonging to the junta who led the recent coup d’état.

Bishop Ba Shwe of Loikaw, appointed a few months ago, describes the situation in the region in dramatic terms: “The Burmese army has used heavy weapons, combat aircraft, armored vehicles and mobile defense systems. As a result, people in both the cities and the countryside are fleeing in different directions. Some fled to the northern part of the state or to areas of Shan State.

“Among the refugees were old and sick people, people with disabilities, women and some young people who, until a few days ago, were housed in the community center in Loikaw.” He went on to explain that earlier in the month, “about 800 residents of the city arrived in the Catholic complex of our Christ the King Cathedral, which was open for accommodation. In total, the number of displaced people, including those who were already there, exceeded 1,300.”

Bishop Ba Shwe continues: “However, on the night of November 26, the military intentionally shot [at] the pastoral center with 120 mm artillery pieces for many times and the roof of the chapel of the pastoral center was hit and the ceiling was destroyed by the artillery shells.”

The bishop and priests decided it would be safer to leave the pastoral center. “Shortly before our departure yesterday, November 27, 50 soldiers came and occupied the building to use it as a base and shelter,” the Bishop of Loikaw explains.

He concludes this dramatic account by addressing the faithful of the whole world: “Please continue to remember us in your prayers.”