LASIO DIOCESE

Diocesan Officials A. Ordinary of Lashio Diocese Bishop Philip Lasap Za Hawng was born on Feb. 12, 1945. He was ordained a priest on March 1, 1973, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Myitkyina on Dec. 20, 1993. His episcopal ordination was April 30, 1994. He was installed Bishop Of Lashio on Oct. 4, 1998. Address: Sacred Heart's Cathedral, Catholic Church, Sankaung Road, Ward - 2, Lashio. NSS - 06301, Myanmar Phone: (95) 82-22433, 22606 Fax: (95) 82-22433 Email: catholiclso@mail4u.com.mm Previous Ordinaries Bishop Charles Bo, SDB (1990-1996) Monsignor Jocelyn Madden, SDB, Apostolic Prefect (Appointed: Nov. 20, 1975) B. Other Diocesan Officials Vicar General and Procurator: Monsignor Joseph Jangmaw Din Address: Sacred Heart's Cathedral, Catholic Church, Sankaung Road, Ward - 2, Lashio. NSS - 06301, Myanmar Phone: (95) 82-22606, 22603 Assistant Procurator: Father Hkawng Gyung Secretary: Father Celestino Aung Aung Lwin College of Consultors: · Father Joseph Thein Aung · Father Fideles Zau Nan · Father Julian Aung Htoo · Father Augustine Khin Maung Kyaw · Monsignor Joseph Jangmaw Din · Father Igino Ying Bawm Council of Priests: · President: Father Joseph Thein Aung · Assistant President: Father Fidele Zau Nan · Secretary: Father Francis Athapha · Father Dominic Savio Jude · Father Julian Aung Htoo Statistics A. Catholic Population As of 2003, Lashio diocese had 31,000 Catholics, representing 0.14 percent of the 2.2 million people in the territory. The diocese had 18 parishes. B. Diocesan and Religious Priests (Click here for details) Diocesan priests: 24 Religious priests: 7 (Salesians) C. Religious Brothers, Sisters Religious Brothers: 7 Religious Sisters: 144 D. Lay Missionaries, Catechists Catechists: 120 Voluntary teachers: 32 E. Seminaries, Houses of Formation Minor seminary: St. John Mary Vianney's Minor Seminary Minor seminarians: 51 Rector: Father Augustine Khin Maung Kyaw Spiritual Director: Father Peter Newman Raj Address: Catholic Church, Hawnghka Qr., Ward-12, Lashiogyi - NSS Phone: (95) 82-22605 Houses of Formation: Luke's Catechist Training Institute, Kawnhhka Qr., Ward-12, Lashiogyi - NSS Phone: 82-23323 Rector: Father Peter Newman Raj Coordinator: De La Salle Brothers Spiritual Director: Father Augustine Khin Maung Kyaw F. There are 18 parishes in the diocese (Click here for details) Diocesan Activities and Organizations A. Major Diocesan Commissions and Organizations · Commission for Pastoral: Father Fidele Zau Nan · Commission for Liturgy: Father Joseph Thein Aung · Commission for Laity: Father Igino Ying Bawm · Commission for Youth: Father Lucas Hla Yawng · Commission for Social Communication: Father Julian Aung Htoo · Commission for Evangelization: Father Dominic Savio Jude · Commission for P.M.S: Father Dominic Savio Jude · Commission for Ecumenism: Father Luigi Lum Dau · Commission for Health: Father Dominic Savio Jude · Commission for Family: Father John Sau Luk · Commission for Animation: Father Paul Zau Sam · Commission for Catholic Action: U Naw Lawn Lashio Karuna (Commission for Development): Director: Father Paul Zau Sam Secretary: Mr. Eddie Staff: Sister Jacinta Kai Gyi Treasurer: Daw Angela Manager for Livelihood board: Daw Angela Manager for Social Welfare and Health board Manager for Education board: Ma Nyo Mi Than Manager for Agriculture board: Monsignor Joseph Jangmaw Din Address: Catholic Church, Sankaung Road, Ward - 2, Lashio. NSS - 06301 Phone: (95) 82-22606, 22603 B. Catholic Educational Institutions English Language and speaking Class: 30 Pre-kindergarten: 8 C. Catholic Social Welfare · Dispensaries: 8 · Homes for the disabled: 2, at Naung Cho and Lashio · Orphanages: 3 in Lashio · Boarding schools: 24 · Nurseries (daycare centers for nursery children): 8 · Centers, hostels for youth: 1, in Lashio D. Social Communications · Commission for Social Communication Father Julian Aung Htoo Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church Sankaung Road, Ward - 2, Lashio. NSS - 06301 Phone: (95) 82-22606, 23148 · Newsletters (Lin Yaung Chi or Ah Lin Dan) E. Other Church Organizations and Associations Movements and Organizations: · Diocesan Youth Organization · Christian Mothers Association · Legion of Mary · St. Vincent De Paul Association · Carpentry Training Center (Diocesan Center) · Mechanic workshop (Diocesan Center) · Tailoring Training Center (SJA and Reparation) Religious Congregations, Societies and Institutes A. Religious Institutes of Men · Don Bosco's Salesians Seminary, Thazin Street, Hsipaw - NSS Phone: (95) 82-80095 Rector: Father Mariano Soe Naing, SDB Spiritual Director: Father Edwin D'Silver, SDB General Characteristics of the Diocese The diocesan territory covers a land area of 61,266 square kilometers. The mission territory of the Northern Shan State was first evangelized around 1869 by MEP Fathers from the Archdiocese of Mandalay. At a later phase in 1930, the PIME Italian Fathers took over and much expansion was made both east and west of the Salween River. A two-pronged mission drive was made at that early stage from the two Prefectures of Lashio and Kengtong. Under the aegis of the Italian Missionaries joined by a group of zealous diocesan priests, much headway was made. From the very start, a tough little group of Italian Reparation sisters worked alongside the priests. They helped open schools, boarding houses, nurseries and clinics. The nationalization of all mission and also private schools was a terrible blow. The Church lost all her schools overnight. However, it was also a blessing in disguise. The Religious now turned to direct mission apostolate. The Holy See entrusted Lashio to the Salesians in 1975, making it a Prefecture. Monsignor Jocelyn Madden, the Salesian Delegate, was the first Apostolic Prefect. On his early retirement, another Salesian, Monsignor Charles Bo, succeeded him. More development end further expansion took place. In 1989, twin celebrations were held: the golden jubilee of the start of the mission and the reopening of the Wa State Mission (the extensive area east of the Salween River). In recognition of the work of the Salesians, the Vatican moved fast. On Dec. 16, 1990, Monsignor Charles Bo was appointed the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Lashio. A further landmark was made in 1991, when the new Catechist Training Center was inaugurated in Lashiogyi. Under the able guidance of the De La Salle Brothers, a two-year special course is given to catechists from all dioceses. In the span of some 20 years, the diocese has ordained new diocesan priests. Bishop Bo also founded a Missionary Congregation of Brothers and Sisters of St. Paul. Its special charism is direct evangelization ad gentes. It started with a few teenage boys and girls in 1990 and is now a flourishing congregation of 49 professed Religious. It is spread out in 13 houses, 10 in Lashio, 2 in Pathein diocese, and 1 in Pyay diocese. Then, Bishop Bo was appointed Bishop of Pathein on May 24, 1996. Bishop Philip Lasap Za Hawng was installed as the new Bishop of Lashio diocese on Oct. 4, 1998. On the same solemn occasion, two diocesan priests were ordained for Lashio by Bishop Bo, former prelate of Lashio. Bishop Za Hawng continued to promote the newly founded Missionary Congregation of Brothers and Sisters of St. Paul. However, in 2000, the brothers decided to move to Pathein where the founder could give close attention to their formation. The sisters remained in the Diocese of Lashio and continue to grow in numbers. Now, there are 70 professed sisters who are in 16 houses -- 11 in the home diocese of Lashio, three in Pathein, one in Pyay, and one in the Diocese of Myitkyina. In June 2005, the Novitiate of St. Paul Sisters from Lashio started their mission in the Archdiocese of Yangon, according to the wish of the Archbishop of Yangon, the founder of the Association of the Missionary Sisters of St. Paul. < Last updated on: May 1, 2006 >