The Catholic Cathedral of Banmaw in Myanmar’s Kachin State has been destroyed by fire, allegedly set by the country’s military junta. The incident occurred on 16 March, on the eve of the feast of St. Patrick, to whom the church was dedicated.
According to local sources, the fire broke out at 4 p.m. on Sunday, and the cathedral was completely destroyed. This is not an isolated incident, as the military junta has been targeting religious buildings since the beginning of the civil war in 2021.
The Diocese of Banmaw, led by Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam, has been severely affected by the conflict. The cathedral was a significant religious and cultural landmark in the region, serving a community of over 27,000 Catholics.
The destruction of the cathedral is the latest in a series of attacks on religious buildings by the Myanmar military. On 3 March, the Burmese armed forces destroyed the St. Michael’s Catholic Church pastoral centre, also in the Banmaw Diocese. Additionally, airstrikes damaged the Sacred Heart Church in Chin State on 6 February.
The conflict in Myanmar has resulted in a major humanitarian crisis, with nearly 6,400 civilians killed and over 28,700 arrested since the coup. The war has also caused widespread displacement and food insecurity, with nearly 20 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.