The conflict in Myanmar rages on, with reports emerging of the military junta burning down St. Patrick Cathedral in Banmaw, Kachin State. This heartbreaking incident adds to the list of religious buildings destroyed by the military since their takeover in 2021.
By Lisa Zengarini
The civil war in Myanmar reached a somber milestone on Sunday, March 16, as the Catholic Cathedral of Banmaw in northern Kachin State was engulfed in flames. The cathedral, dedicated to St. Patrick, was set ablaze during military operations conducted by the State Administration Council (SAC), the ruling military junta.
Local sources from Fides Agency reported that the fire broke out at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Prior to this, the military had already set fire to the priest’s house, diocesan offices, and the high school of the Diocese on February 26.
The Diocese of Banmaw, led by Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam, covers a vast area bordering China to the east. Home to over 407,000 people before the conflict, including 27,000 Catholics from various ethnic groups, the region now bears the scars of violence and destruction.
A Series of Attacks on Religious Buildings
St. Patrick Cathedral is the latest in a series of religious buildings targeted by the Burmese army since the onset of the civil war in 2021. Recent attacks include the destruction of St. Michael’s Catholic Church pastoral center and the damaging of the Sacred Heart Church in Chin State.
The conflict erupted following the military’s seizure of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Since then, resistance fighters from various ethnic groups, including those with significant Christian populations, have united against the junta.
Human rights agencies and United Nations investigators have documented widespread atrocities against civilians, including indiscriminate bombings, mass executions, and the destruction of civilian homes and religious sites protected under international law.
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire
Amidst the ongoing conflict, civilians in Myanmar face abuses from both the military junta and ethnic militias. Groups like the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) have been criticized for their actions, including forced conscription and exploitation of resources.
The suffering of the civilian population continues to worsen, with millions in need of humanitarian assistance and a third of the nation facing food insecurity. Despite the military junta’s promise of holding elections, the situation remains precarious as resistance groups control vast territories.
The people of Myanmar endure unimaginable hardships as they navigate through a complex web of violence and political turmoil. The international community must stand in solidarity with the victims of this conflict and work towards a peaceful resolution for the people of Myanmar.
