Newly ordained priests Fr Lawrence Gei Khui Shing SJ, Fr Benjamin Thein Htun SJ, and Fr John Thomas Kyaw Thu Win SJ with Myanmar Region Superior Fr Mark Raper SJ

Against the backdrop of the country’s worsening situation caused by the violent military coup on 1 February last year, and the crushing economic hardships of the Covid-19 pandemic, there remains a glimmer of hope for the Myanmar Jesuit Region as three local Jesuits were ordained priests on 19 March in Yangon.

After more than a decade of Jesuit formation and studies in Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines, Benjamin Thein Htun (from Mandalay), John Thomas Kyaw Thu Win (from Taung Ngu), and Lawrence Gei Khui Shing (from Mindat) were ordained priests by His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo, Archbishop of Yangon Archdiocese. They were ordained together with two Franciscans and eight other deacons from Yangon Archdiocese and Pathein Diocese at St Mary’s Cathedral, which was almost at its full capacity even with a strict limit on attendance for the low-key ceremony.

Including the family of Lawrence, hundreds and thousands of people in the country have been displaced within the past 10 months because of military offensive to crush any resistance to the military rule. Although several Catholic churches and thousands of homes have been destroyed in the process, the minority believers continue to remain strong in their faith, and this ordination is a visible sign of it.

Reflecting upon this life-changing experience, Lawrence briefly shared: “Gratitude is the dominant one among a variety of feelings I have in receiving the sacrament of ordination to the priesthood, especially in this time of difficulties both in and out of Myanmar. God accomplishes great things in and through everyone’s little efforts for one’s betterment and the world around him.”

Visibly very emotional in the ceremony, John Thomas later said, “I was moved by the Holy Spirit during the imposition of hands and felt the tears of consolation. Though I am unworthy, yet the love and grace of God make me a permanent priest for God’s people. For me, this movement is life-giving and what it means to be Christ-like. I hope this spark of consolation may enkindle the fire in God’s people whom I will meet daily in life.”

Following their ordination, the three new Jesuit priests have been missioned to various locations in the country: Benjamin to the Novitiate (Taunggyi), John Thomas to Moe Nyin parish (Northern Myanmar) and Lawrence to St Luke’s College (Northern Myanmar).