In a remote mountain camp sheltering families driven from their homes by conflict, Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam of Myitkyina Diocese brought a message of faith and endurance on February 12, administering Confirmation to 40 displaced Catholics during a pastoral visit.

The Bishop arrived at Phung Nyaiang Internally Displaced Persons Camp as part of his broader journey through the mountain region. The camp, established in June 2024, currently houses 250 families—a total of 1,366 people—who fled conflict from Lungsha Yang Parish, Sumpyi Yang, Intsi Yang, and the Wa Dat village tract.

During a Holy Mass celebrated at the camp, Bishop John confirmed 40 fellow Catholics, strengthening them in their faith amid the uncertainty of displacement. In his homily, he addressed the congregation’s precarious situation directly.

“Only by always trusting and relying on God can true peace be attained,” the Bishop said. He urged the displaced faithful to actively strengthen their belief, reminding them that “all of us, as children of God, need to actively believe and strengthen our faith.”

The visit represented a significant gesture of pastoral care for a community living in the shadows of ongoing conflict. For those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, the Bishop’s presence and the administration of the sacrament offered a moment of spiritual solidarity and encouragement.

The camp’s population reflects the broader human cost of instability in Myanmar’s border regions, where thousands remain displaced from their villages. Bishop John’s journey to reach them underscores the Church’s commitment to accompany the faithful even in the most remote and difficult circumstances, bringing not only the sacraments but also a message that faith can sustain hope when all else seems lost.

By RVA Rawang Service