On June 21, Fr Paul Pollock, Major Superior of Myanmar, wrote: "I am very happy to announce that Father General has approved the establishment of a new local community for the Jesuits residing in the Yangon area. Together with the decree of canonical establishment, Father General has also approved my appointment of Fr Peter Kim Se Mang as superior of this community. Fr Peter begins as superior today, June 21, 2008, feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga.

The new community is ‘Arrupe Jesuit Community Yangon‘. This one Jesuit community will comprise the priests, brothers, and scholastics living and working in various residences in the Yangon area. The local superior will also have care for the apostolic works of the Society in the Yangon area. (Canisius House, candidates; Berchmans House, Jesuit residence; Campion Institute).

I wish to thank Fr Wardi who has been the sole local superior for so many years; I also say a word of thanks to Fr Ipong who has been the local vice-superior of Yangon.

Now that our two communities are properly established, we can see it as a step forward for the Society of Jesus in Myanmar, and also our fervent prayers and hopes that this ‘canonical arrangement’ will help us form a genuine Jesuit community of men who are here to serve together."

Fr Cyril Anthonysamy (MDU) arrived in Myanmar in the morning of June 25th. He was born in Myanmar and left as a teenager. He was the publisher of a book house in India. He has a masters in Physical Education and a long time experience in field work and as a trainer.