ASIA/MYANMAR - After arrest by local militia in Chin State: priest and catechist return to pastoral service

Monday, 23 August 2021 evangelization   pastoral   armed conflicts  

Hakha (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic priest Father Noel Hrang Tin Thang and the catechist Clement Cung Hnin from the diocese of Hakha, who were kidnapped by the local Chinland Defense Force (CDF) (see Fides 31/7/2021) and released on August 4th, are safe and continue their pastoral ministry. Fr. Paul Thla Kio, a priest from the Hakha diocese, confirmed that after their release, the two were able to return to their homes in Surkhua city. The incident has raised concern within the Catholic Church as it shows how priests who are in contact with both the government army and rebel groups can be mistaken for "collaborators" on one side or the other in the conflict. In particular, the kidnapped priest had asked a military general to avoid fighting in the city of Surkhua to avoid involving civilians in the armed conflict.
Fides learned that the delegation of the Bishop of Hakha, which negotiated the release of the two, had to sign a four-point commitment: the priest must cut off all contact with the Burmese army; he must not denigrate the CDF; he is not allowed to participate in the implementation of government projects and he must be transferred to Hakha.
Chinland Defense Force members abducted Fr. Noel Hrang Tin Thang and catechist Clement Cung Hnin on July 26, 2021 as they were traveling from Surkhua city to Hakah, the capital of Chin State. They both belonged to the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, Surkhua City, Hakha Diocese.
In an appeal for their release, the Bishop of Hakha, Lucius Hre Kung, expressed his concern for their safety and urged the population to pray for the safety of the two detainees. He recalled that the priest and catechist work for the benefit of the population and are not affiliated with any military or political group and in no way cooperate with the regular army.
The Chinland Defense Force is a local militia founded in Chin State on April 4, 2021 to fight the Burmese army, which took power in Myanmar through a coup on February 1. According to the militia, the aim of the militia is to protect the civilian population from the military junta; abolish the 2008 constitution of Myanmar; end the dictatorship and create a federal union. (JZ-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 23/8/20221)


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