The newly ordained Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun offered his Thanksgiving Mass in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in his native village, Htone Bo Gway, on March 22.

The Catholics and people of other religions of his native village were overjoyed as they witnessed the Thanksgiving mass with their Tamil tribe and native villagers.

“Oh, Htone Bo Gway Village! You are not the least and you are not isolated to the people of God because from you, a shepherd of the Lord to his people has been chosen,” exclaimed Fr. Alexander Kyaw Win, the homilist of the thanksgiving mass.

Htone Bo Gway Village, the native village of the newly ordained bishop, is located in the Southeast Karen State of Myanmar. The area has not been very peaceful since the 1970s, as the Karen State has been a warring area for many decades.

The village began to be developed gradually as it was made to be a Parish Center. Now, a bishop chosen from this village is another great thing for the Catholic Community in this village and for the entire Church of Myanmar. 

“It is unbelievable to hear that a priest from our native village is elected to be a bishop. It was a great surprise to us that our villager was chosen to be a great person. As soon as we heard the news that a priest of our village was elected bishop, we called many people and shared our joy,” said Sr. Cecilia (OFM).

According to Sr. Cecilia, young people were previously interested in the priestly vocation and religious life, and several people were ordained to be priests and chosen as religious. As the country’s situation got worse, young people were more attracted to leave the country to look for jobs and a better life.

“It is very sad to know that many left the school very early to look for jobs outside of the country,” added Sr Cecilia.  

Until about 2020, transportation to this village was very poor, but it is getting much better and easier at present. In the past, the Church Community had to depend only on the Catechists for the Liturgical Services and the preparation for the Sacraments. It is to say that people were very pious.

There are 8 priests from this village, and out of the 8 priests, one is already elected and ordained as a Bishop.

There are altogether 8 religious sisters from this village. There are 3 religious brothers who are members of the Congregation of the Servite Fathers.  

At present, altogether about 1,000 Catholics with about 150 households live in Htone Bo Gway village. All of them are Tamil.

Htone Bo Gway village was established in 1944, according to Ko San Thein, a retired schoolteacher and an ex-seminarian.  

“I pray that the Episcopal ordination will awaken the hearts and desires of the young people to value and appreciate the priestly and religious life to serve the people and the Church,” said Saya San Thein, the village elder. 

Bishop Raymond was ordained as a bishop to be Auxiliary Bishop of the Yangon Archdiocese on March 19, 2025, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon.

Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Tun also offered his thanksgiving Mass in St Francis Xavier Cathedral of Hpa An Diocese on March 23, 2025, the third Sunday of Lent.

By Fr. Saw Hubert