In a significant step for the Church’s communication mission, Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) officially launched its Akha and Kayan language services on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon.

Cardinal Charles Bo, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) and patron bishop of Myanmar RVA Language Services, called the event “a blessed day for the Church in Myanmar.”

“Today is the launching day of Radio Veritas Asia Akha Service and Radio Veritas Asia Kayan Service,” Cardinal Bo said.

The new services aim to reach two of Myanmar’s ethnic communities. The Akha Service will serve approximately 700,000 Akha people worldwide. There are around 73,000 Catholics in the Kengtung Diocese, and most of them are Akha. The Kayan Service targets an estimated 250,000 Kayan people in Myanmar, roughly 60 percent of whom are Catholic, with communities primarily in Pekhon, Loikaw, Taungngu, and Taunggyi Arch/dioceses.

The existing RVA Language Services in Myanmar lineup includes Myanmar, Sgaw Karen, Pwo Karen, Kachin Jinghpaw, Kachin Lisu, Kachin Rawang, Hakha Chin, Falam Chin, Tedim Chin, and K’Cho (Mindat). With these additions, there are twelve Myanmar RVA language services, and it has become 23 RVA Language services worldwide.

The RVA Language services are producing faith-based content across eight categories, including daily reflections, Sunday homilies, Church news, life of saints/influencers, youth and family programs, Papal Message, environment, and triple dialogue alongside a traditional 30-minute daily radio broadcast. Moreover, the services produce English News and short inspirational videos.

“These services provide essential faith-based content and spiritual support through the Word of God to people in need,” Cardinal Bo said.

In the weeks leading up to the launch, a training course for the new Akha and Kayan staff—alongside the new staff from the Sgaw Karen and Pwo Karen services—was held from May 11 to 20 at the CBCM in Yangon. Bishop Celso Ba Shwe, Chair Bishop of CBCM OSC, visited and encouraged them on May 16, “RVA could bring the message of the Gospel to the peripheries.”

Cardinal Bo addressed the media workers on May 18, urging them to remain committed to evangelization and truth.

“Every language and ethnic group is alive and valuable,” Cardinal Bo told the trainees. “Akha and Kayan languages will bring the Good News to families, young people, the elderly, and society, touching people’s hearts.”

He described RVA as a bridge connecting people across borders and hardships, especially during Myanmar’s ongoing challenging times. “In the midst of fake news, Radio Veritas gives the Good News,” he said. “Before ascending into heaven, Jesus commanded us to go to all nations and proclaim the Good News. It is not an option; it is Christ’s mandate.”

Msgr. Andrea Ferrante, Chargé d’Affaires, welcomed the expansion on May 19, urging the new communicators to become “voices of hope” amid suffering and uncertainty. He also stressed the importance of ethical media use and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

“Communication is not merely transmitting information,” Msgr. Ferrante said. “It is creating culture and spaces for dialogue and encounter.”

The launch of the RVA Akha and RVA Kayan services marks a deepening of RVA’s mission of evangelization, peacebuilding, and spiritual accompaniment for communities across Myanmar and beyond.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service