Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam of Myitkyina Diocese issued a powerful call for spiritual healing and forgiveness to more than 400 catechists during the Jubilee of Catechists, held on October 23, 2025, at Eden Parish, defining their role as “wounded healers” in a suffering world.

The celebration, concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Francis Daw Tang and 35 priests from across the Diocese of Myitkyina, centered on the spiritual mission and identity of those tasked with teaching the faith.

In his homily, Bishop John opened with a stark observation on the state of the natural world, drawing a parallel to the human condition. “The earth is getting sick,” he stated, citing droughts, landslides, and pollution as symptoms. He argued that just as the environment requires care, humanity requires healing of the heart, primarily through the practice of forgiveness.

Directly addressing the catechists’ vocation, the bishop declared, “We are the doctors for the people of God. God called us to heal others who are broken. We are wounded healers—imperfect and full of wounds, yet called to heal others.”

He illustrated this concept with a personal story from a visit to Yangon, where he met a renowned doctor who, despite being ill with cancer, continued to treat numerous patients. “This experience reflects the reality of Christian service,” Bishop John said. “We are wounded, but by God’s grace, we can still heal others.”

Emphasizing the need for humility, the bishop encouraged the catechists to see themselves as instruments in God’s hands. “We are the pen of the Lord. Sometimes we do not understand what is happening, but the one holding the pen knows what He is writing,” he noted. He further stressed that God deliberately calls the imperfect to manifest His power. “God doesn’t call the perfect but the sinners and the ignorant. He uses them so that His power will be made known.”

Connecting his message to the theme of Jubilee, a time traditionally associated with the release of debts, Bishop John urged a practical commitment to forgiveness. “God forgives us no matter how great our sin is. But we must forgive others. If our hearts are full of hatred, how can the grace of God enter?” he asked.

He also called for a deeper prayer life, especially in times of personal weakness, invoking the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “The more you feel weak, the more you should pray. Like a sick child holding the hand of his mother, we must hold the hand of our Mother Mary,” he said.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, the hundreds of participating catechists shared a fellowship meal. The event continued with an afternoon meeting dedicated to their ongoing formation and ministry.

By RVA Lisu Service