On the first death anniversary of the late Bishop Abraham Than, who dedicated his life and ministry as the first native Gebar Bishop to serve the Diocese of Kengtung, prayers were offered for the repose and eternal salvation of his soul on August 18 at 6 AM Mass.

Bishop John Saw Yaw Han of Kengtung Diocese, together with priests, religious sisters, and the faithful, joined in prayer for the late Bishop Abraham Than.

A Life of Dedicated Service

In his homily, Bishop John Saw Yaw Han recalled that Bishop Abraham Than had served the Diocese of Kengtung for 30 years as its first native Bishop. He devoted himself especially to missionary ministry in Special Region 4, Mong La, near the border with China. At that time, the area was extremely remote and faced serious difficulties in food, education, healthcare, transportation, and communication.

Beginning on May 3, 1990, Bishop Abraham Than invited priests, religious sisters, and lay missionaries from different places to participate in evangelization and pastoral ministry in the region. He was also known for encouraging priests and religious to remain faithful to their religious identity, including by wearing their cassocks while travelling.

The Weight of Episcopal Office

Bishop John emphasized that the office of a Bishop is not a position of prestige, worldly status, authority, or privilege. Rather, a Bishop is called to be a servant who carries the heavy Cross entrusted to him. He recalled the teaching of Saint John Chrysostom, who lived more than 400 years ago, concerning the profound responsibility entrusted to a Bishop.

He further reflected that fewer Bishops may attain salvation than priests because Bishops carry a greater responsibility before God. They will have to give an account before the Lord for the flock entrusted to their pastoral care. Therefore, the greater the flock, the greater the responsibility that a Bishop must carry.

Although Bishop Abraham Than has left his own diocese to serve another local Church, the faithful are still called to pray for him, to entrust his soul to God’s mercy, and to ask that he may receive every grace necessary for eternal life.

The Human Face of Shepherding

Bishop John explained that a Bishop does not have a private life or personal time in the ordinary sense. His life is continually dedicated to the needs of the faithful—celebrating the Sacraments, teaching the faith, accompanying priests, religious, and lay faithful, mediating conflicts, and helping to resolve various difficulties within the Church community.

At times, Bishops may even be criticized as lacking compassion or courage when they try to reconcile people and seek peaceful solutions to difficult situations. Yet their mission is not to take up a staff and punish or strike those entrusted to them. Rather, they are called to shepherd, guide, and lead priests, religious, and the faithful so that they may not stray from the path of faith.

A Bishop rejoices together with the faithful when the Church experiences growth and success. At the same time, when difficulties arise that cannot easily be spoken about openly within the Church, he often carries those burdens in his heart and silently brings them before God in prayer.

The Shepherd and the Lost Sheep

Bishop John illustrated the responsibility of a Bishop through the image of the shepherd and the lost sheep. Even if only one sheep out of a hundred is lost, the shepherd cannot simply turn away and say, “It is only one sheep.” He must go in search of the lost sheep and bring it safely back.

In the same way, a Bishop cannot evade the responsibility for even one of the souls entrusted to his pastoral care. He must strive to lead the entire flock entrusted to him toward the presence of God.

He reminded the faithful that receiving the episcopal dignity does not suddenly turn a Bishop into a person who can face everything without fear or weakness. A Bishop remains a human being who can experience tiredness, loneliness, illness, and personal struggles. He too can become weak and has his own difficulties that he must patiently and faithfully carry.

Therefore, the faithful should not assume that a Bishop automatically enters Heaven immediately after death and no longer needs the prayers of the Church. Bishops carry a greater responsibility because they have been entrusted with a greater pastoral office.

Call to Prayer

Bishop John explained that the purpose of gathering for prayer on this first death anniversary was not only to remember the late Bishop Abraham Than and give thanks for his great dedication and selfless service to the Church, but also to entrust his soul to the Blessed Virgin Mary and ask for her maternal intercession.

He encouraged the faithful to continue praying for all Bishops, priests, religious, catechists, and lay leaders who are currently serving the Church. Just as they dedicate themselves to working for the salvation of others, the faithful should also remember them in prayer, asking God to grant them the grace of salvation and eternal life.

Following the Holy Mass, breakfast was offered in memory of the late Bishop Abraham Than to the priests, religious sisters, catechists, teachers, and faithful who had participated in the Eucharistic celebration and prayers offered for the repose of his soul.

By RVA Akha Service