St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Banmaw, Myanmar, was reduced to ashes on 16 March, following a military operation by the country’s junta. The incident occurred on the eve of the liturgical feast of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint.
The cathedral’s destruction is the latest in a series of attacks on religious buildings in Myanmar. On 26 February, a fire destroyed the priest’s house, diocesan offices, and high school in the same diocese.
The Diocese of Banmaw, led by Bishop Raymond Sumlut, is located in a mountainous region on the border with China. Before the escalation of the war, the diocese was home to over 407,000 people, including 27,000 baptized Catholics.
The incident follows a similar attack in February 2025, when the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Mindat was severely damaged by airstrikes. The Myanmar military regime has been accused of targeting religious buildings, hospitals, and schools, leading to a humanitarian and human rights crisis.
Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has been plagued by violence, with over 6,000 civilian casualties and millions displaced. The military junta has announced elections for 2025, but only parties approved by the junta will be allowed to participate.