As the conflict between the military junta and resistance forces rages on in Myanmar, a recent tragic event unfolded in the town of Falam, Chin State. The regular army bombed the Church of Christ the King, devastating the building and causing distress among the local Catholic community.
Destroyed on April 8, the Church of Christ the King was a newly built church that served around one thousand faithful in the area. Despite the heartbreak caused by the destruction, there is a strong determination within the community to rebuild and continue their worship.
The ongoing fighting in Falam has been a result of clashes between the army and the “Chinland Defence Force,” leading to a volatile situation where homes, public buildings, and places of worship have become targets of airstrikes and artillery attacks.
This heartbreaking incident follows a similar attack in February, where the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Mindat, intended to be the cathedral of the newly established Diocese of Mindat, was damaged in an air raid by the Myanmar army.
According to reports, army bombings have destroyed at least 107 religious buildings, including 67 churches, in Chin State since 2021, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on the lives and places of worship of the local Christian community.
Prayers for Peace
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, has led prayers for peace in Myanmar amidst these challenging times, urging for unity and faith in the face of destruction and turmoil.
