In a significant pastoral visit marked by cultural warmth and spiritual renewal, Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam of Myitkyina Diocese journeyed to Danai Parish on June 29^th, 2025.

He offered Sunday Mass, the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, administering the Sacrament of Confirmation, and bringing solace to displaced communities.

Welcomed with deep reverence by Rev. Fr. Peter Labu Naw San and parishioners, Bishop La Sam was greeted with traditional Wunpawng gifts, joyful songs, and the vibrant Shat Lit ceremony, embodying the rich Kachin heritage of the community.

The bishop expressed profound gratitude for the heartfelt reception.

A Shepherd’s Message: Unity and Trust in Trial
Addressing the congregation during the Mass, celebrated on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Bishop La Sam struck a chord of humility and hope amidst the region’s ongoing struggles.

“Today, I am very grateful that you welcomed me as a shepherd and a servant of God,” he began. “You have come to me this day to the LORD God, who loved me and chose me. I don’t deserve it, but God has made me one of His shepherds. Today, you have welcomed me like this. It is God’s blessing.”

His message centered on divine love and resilience: “I have come to you today, that I might testify to you how much God loves you. Let us not be discouraged, but let us pray more in these difficult times. In these difficult times, if we are united and trust in God, the difficulties we are facing today… will be a blessing.”

Emphasizing the power of communal prayer during his first visit to Danai, he stated, “Today we are gathered together to bless you. Let us pray together for the blessings we need. If we pray with such unity, God will surely hear our prayers.”

Sacraments, Blessings, and a Jubilee Gate
The Mass was a pivotal moment for 246 parishioners who received the Sacrament of Confirmation, strengthening their faith commitment. Before the liturgy, Bishop La Sam blessed the parish’s new Assembly Hall, a vital facility for community gathering and activities.

He also officially opened the parish’s “Jubilee Gate of Hope,” part of a diocesan-wide initiative during the Jubilee Year of Hope. These gates, being opened in churches across the Myitkyina Diocese, serve as tangible symbols of faith and perseverance, specifically encouraged due to the persistent political unrest and conflict plaguing Kachin State.

Reaching Out to the Displaced
Demonstrating the Church’s commitment to those most affected by the region’s turmoil, Bishop La Sam visited the St. Joseph Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp after Mass. He met with camp officials and residents – a community comprising Catholics, Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), and Anglicans – offering personal encouragement, pastoral advice, prayers, and blessings.

The visit underscored the harsh reality faced by the camp’s 622 inhabitants. Driven from their homes by ongoing fighting with no imminent prospect of return, their plight was further compounded in 2024 when heavy rains and snowfall destroyed all shelters within the camp, leaving them in acutely difficult circumstances.

A Flourishing Parish
Danai Parish, according to the 2024 census, serves a substantial Catholic community of 1,314 households and 7,193 faithful.

Notably, the parish has also become a spiritual home for many former Nat Jaw (animist) adherents who have converted to Catholicism, reflecting its dynamic growth and evangelizing mission even amidst adversity.

The bishop’s visit served as a powerful affirmation of faith and solidarity for this vibrant yet beleaguered community.

By RVA Kachin Jinghpaw Service