BURMA Coup junta burn and destroy historic Church of the Assumption in Chan Thar

The temple, built in 1894, had “inestimable” historical value for both Catholics and non-Catholics. Before setting it on fire, the soldiers outraged it by drinking and smoking inside. In the area, Catholics and Buddhists have lived in harmony for centuries. Last year, the village was attacked four times by militias without any clashes or provocations.

Yangon () – The Burmese military junta has launched a new attack against Catholics in Burma by burning down one of the oldest and most important places of worship in the country. In the military’s crosshairs was the historic Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, in Chan Thar village, Ye U, Shwe Bo district, Sagaing division. It was built in 1894 and already had 129 years of life. Inside, the man who would be the first Burmese bishop was baptized.

A new wound for the religious minority, after two air force fighter jets carried out a raid on the Karen state in recent days, destroying a church and killing five people, including a child.

The first Catholic presence in the area, which refers to the Mandalay diocese, dates back some 500 years. The town of Chan Thar itself arose and developed thanks to the work of the descendants of the Portuguese Catholics who inhabited it for centuries. Since the February 2021 military coup that overthrew the democratic government led by Aung San Suu Kyi (currently detained) and returned power to the army, soldiers have already attacked the area four times. Many, inside and outside the country, consider the church a “historical place of inestimable value”.

In the town there has always been a predominantly Catholic population, spread over 800 houses in close contact and harmony with two neighboring Buddhist centers. Last year, the military set fire to houses in Chan Thar on May 7 and a second time a month later on June 7, 2022, destroying 135 buildings. The third assault took place on December 14, just before the start of the Christmas celebrations; the last one was a few days ago, on January 14, 2023, when the men of the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) razed and burned almost all the houses.

Local sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, report that the soldiers attacked and burned “for no apparent reason” because there were no clashes or fighting taking place in the area, and without any provocation. The soldiers had been stationed in the area in front of the church since the night of January 14, and before withdrawing, they carried out an “atrocity” by setting fire to the building and “completely burning” the church, the rectory and the centuries-old convent of the nuns, which collapsed after being engulfed in flames.

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption was a source of pride for Catholics in Upper Burma not only because of its secular tradition, the baptism of the first bishop and the birth of three other archbishops and more than 30 priests and nuns. The temple was in fact a historical and cultural heritage for the whole country, including the Buddhists, and proof of this is the climate of fraternal collaboration that was established between the different communities. The church, the bell tower and other buildings were destroyed on the morning of January 15. As revealed by an eyewitness, government soldiers also “outraged” the sacredness of the place by “looting, drinking alcohol and smoking” inside.

In response to the attack, several Burmese priests posted on social media their requests to pray for the country and for the Christian community itself. On the other hand, there have been no official statements or communiqués from the Archdiocese of Yangon or from Card. Charles Bo. In his message to the faithful published a few days ago on the occasion of the New Year, the cardinal had declared January “month of ceasefire”, addressing all parties – including the military – to ask them to “silence their weapons” and “believe in a peaceful solution”. He stressed the value of “dialogue” in conflict resolution and called for the resumption of the Panlong peace process. A call that, as we can see these days, has fallen on deaf ears on the part of Naypyidaw.