Despite Military Vacating Loikaw Cathedral, Bishop Remains with Displaced Persons for Easter
April 5, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
Although the military has vacated the Christ the King Cathedral in Loikaw, Kayah State, after a prolonged occupation, Bishop Celso Ba Shwe of the Loikaw Diocese has not yet returned to the cathedral. Instead, he chose to spend the Easter festival with internally displaced persons (IDPs) facing hardships in the jungle, according to a report by Vatican News.
The cathedral was seized by the military in November 2023 and utilized as an operational base. Consequently, the Bishop, along with priests and the faithful, were forced to flee to safer areas.
Currently, following the military’s departure, two priests have reclaimed the cathedral and were able to hold Easter prayers there for the first time in three years.
Bishop Celso Ba Shwe, however, remains at a village where IDPs are taking refuge, sharing in the sufferings of the people.
“I am staying close to them. Along with priests and nuns, we are providing our empathy and practical assistance to the people. In accordance with the Easter message of transitioning from darkness to light, we are praying together for peace and reconciliation,” the Bishop told Vatican News.
Back in November 2024, Bishop Celso Ba Shwe remarked, “I am a bishop without a cathedral, but I am happy. I must go to where my flock is. Even if they don’t have a cathedral, they have places to pray. This reminds me of the lives of the early Christians.”
At present, conflict and military airstrikes across Myanmar have forced over 3.6 million people to flee their homes, with estimates suggesting that this number could soon reach 4 million.
In contrast, the Archbishop of Yangon, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, maintains a close relationship with the coup leader, often inviting him to Christmas celebrations.
Karenni State is among the regions most heavily targeted by military airstrikes since the coup. According to the Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF), there have been at least 2,148 airstrikes in Karenni State from the 2021 coup until March 31, 2026. Furthermore, a report by Data For Myanmar states that the coup military has burned down at least 830 civilian homes in Karenni State since the takeover.
It is noted that the military regained control of the Loikaw-Pasaung Union Highway in Karenni State during March.
