Bishop Bernardino Ne Ne says Church stands alongside displaced in Myanmar

Bishop Bernardino Ne Ne, the Coadjutor Bishop of Taungngu, said the Church is supporting displaced people in central-southern Myanmar as conflict and economic collapse continue. He told Agenzia Fides that priests are staying in their parishes to care for families, listen to their needs, and offer comfort during the crisis.

The Bago Region, where the diocese is located, serves as a link between central Myanmar and the eastern regions where fighting between the military and ethnic armed groups has lasted for decades. Bishop Ne Ne noted that the civil war has intensified since the February 2021 coup, bringing airstrikes near cities and causing widespread fear.

To protect lives, the Church is avoiding large gatherings that are not permitted. Bishop Ne Ne reported that the population is struggling with soaring inflation and the difficulty of survival, but he stated that faith remains strong despite these hardships.