The Diocese of Pyay held a landmark diocesan religious conference from May 19 to 21 at St. Francis Xavier Hall in Pyay, Myanmar.

The three-day gathering brought together clergy, religious, parish pastoral council members, lay leaders, and youth, more than a hundred representatives from across the diocese to explore the Church’s Synodal path and the importance of journeying together.

The conference was enriched by the presence of two prominent resource persons: Bishop John Saw Yaw Han of the Diocese of Kengtung and Rev. Fr. Hyginus Myint Soe from the Archdiocese of Yangon.

Their insights helped guide the participants in deepening their understanding of synodality, a concept central to the current ecclesial renewal led by the late Pope Francis.

In his keynote address, Bishop Peter Tin Wai of Pyay Diocese emphasized the pressing need for the local Church to engage more actively with the Synodal vision of Pope Francis.

“During his papacy, Pope Francis introduced many reforms within the Church, highlighting the concept of Synodality — journeying together. In Pyay Diocese, awareness of this vital movement has remained limited. This conference aims to fill that gap and initiate a transformative journey for our local Church,” he said.

Bishop Peter acknowledged that Pyay Diocese had long been operating under deeply rooted traditions that often hinder progressive action and broader participation.

He noted, “Our mindset and practices have been stuck in old patterns. It is time we embrace a new vision and spirit. With this Synodal approach, I hope to see our priests, religious, catechists, and lay faithful renewed in purpose and energy, ready to lead the diocese toward a more collaborative future.”

Highlighting the inclusive nature of the event, Bishop Tin Wai explained that representatives from every parish were invited, including all parish priests, two religious sisters from each community, two youth representatives (one male and one female) from each parish, and selected lay members.

“This conference is focused on Catholics within our diocese,” he said. “Our goal is to cultivate a sense of shared responsibility among all Church members, overcoming the limitations of a purely hierarchical model.”

The bishop also spoke candidly about structural challenges within the Church, noting that excessive reliance on priests has sometimes weakened lay involvement.

“Synodality encourages all members of the Church to participate actively and responsibly. The Church is built by its people, and it must evolve to meet the signs of the times — adapting to cultural shifts and modern expectations,” he said.

Transparency, accountability, and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit were highlighted as essential components of this renewal.

“We may not be able to change everything overnight — some traditions are hard to shift — but if we can make significant changes, then we are truly moving forward,” Bishop Tin Wai stated.

The bishop expressed hope that the conference would serve as a catalyst for spiritual and pastoral revitalization. “This gathering marks the beginning of a new chapter. With firm conviction, guided not by our own strength but by the Holy Spirit, we can transform our diocese for the better.”

The conference closed with a renewed commitment among participants to embrace synodality and work collaboratively in shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and spiritually dynamic Church in Pyay.

By RVA Myanmar Service