By Matters India Reporter
Yangon, Feb 17, 2025: Church leaders in Myanmar have condemned the murder of a 43-year-old Catholic priest.
Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win of the Archdiocese of Mandalay was stabbed to death on February 14 by a group of armed men in Kangyi Taw village, Shwebo Township, in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar.
Father Martin was alone at Ludmal Thawma Church when ten armed men entered the premises at around 7 pm. The attackers reportedly forced him to kneel down before proceeding to stab him repeatedly. Ten suspects were arrested following the incident.
This attack is part of a broader pattern of violence targeting religious minorities in Myanmar, particularly under the rule of the military junta. Religious minority communities continue to face systematic repression, with churches and clergy increasingly facing attacks, arbitrary arrests, intimidation and restrictions.
More than 5,000 people braved dangers and general violence to gather at pay homage to Father Martin at his native village of Pyin Oo Lwin in a mountainous region.
Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay led the funeral Mass on February 16 in the Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
During the Mass the archbishop read message from the nunciature and condolences of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar that expressed solidarity with the local population.
The archbishop urged the faithful to wake up, “because violence only brings death and destruction, it is always a defeat.” He appealed to armed groups and those involved in the conflict to lay down their weapons and take a path of peace and reconciliation.
The archbishop entrusted Father Win, his family and the entire community present to the care of the Blessed Virgin. “May Our Lady accompany him to paradise and protect all under her mantle, giving comfort and hope,” the archbishop said.
Father Martin was born on November 11, 1981. He was ordained a priest on February 1, 2018. He was the first priest of Our Lady of Lourdes’ Church, Kan-Gyi-Daw, a parish of 40 families.
He was involved in organizing educational work for children and young people. The civil war, violence and displacement have closed schools as no teacher was available. Priests, religious and catechists provide informal classes voluntarily to ensure continuity of education.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, who heads the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, in his condolence message, said, “This atrocity cannot simply be forgotten.”
He called for justice for the slain priest, denouncing the violence that continues to plague the country.
“We urge the authorities to ensure that justice is served and to take decisive action to prevent such heinous crimes from recurring,” the cardinal added.
He expressed his condolences to Archbishop Marco Tin Win, the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archdiocese of Mandalay, as well as to the priest’s grieving family.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic news… May God the Father, the Lord of all life, console your mourning hearts and ours,” said the cardinal, who headed the Asian Church until recently.
He called for an end to the bloodshed in his country. “May the blood and sacrifices of countless innocent lives, including Father Donald Martin, become an offering for peace. Let these heartbreaking experiences awaken within us a fraternal spirit and put an end to violence.”
The apostolic nunciature in Myanmar has also expressed grief over the killing.
“I express my profound sadness and strongly condemn every attack on life and human dignity, as well as all forms of violence as a means of resolving conflicts,” said Monsignor Andrea Ferrante, Chargé d’Affaires of the nunciature.
He urged priests, religious, and missionaries in the archdiocese to stand firm in their mission despite the dangers.
Recently, government soldiers accused Mandalay’s Sacred Heart Cathedral of supplying weapons to rebel groups, prompting a raid on the church compound.
Troops searched the cathedral, the archbishop’s residence, and the parish priest’s house but left without finding any evidence.
The area is controlled by the People’s Defence Force, which fights against the military junta. The forces leaders have been asked to investigate the armed groups that murdered the priest. The militias, meanwhile, have arrested ten men from the village of Kan Gyi Taw, where Father Martin was murdered.
The People’s Defense Forces, according to Fides sources, are interested in identifying and punishing the culprits and have transferred those arrested to a court set up by the force in the areas currently defined as “liberated areas,” that is, not under the control of the Myanmar government.
Based on reports in LiCAS.News, Fides and csw.org.uk