PEKHON DIOCESE
Brief History
The Diocese of Pekhon, where the evangelization works initiated by the PIME Missionaries in the late 19th century, initially belonged to the Archdiocese of Taunggyi. As the mission territory was far distant and the number of believers was considerably increasing, it was established a Diocese by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, on December 15, 2005, as a Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Taunggyi. It was inaugurated by His Grace Msgr. Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Delegate to the Union of Myanmar, on April 1, 2006. Msgr. Peter Hla, the Auxiliary Bishop of Taunggyi, was installed as its first Ordinary on the same day.
Diocesan Profile
Pekhon Diocese is situated in the Southern part of Shan State, in the Eastern part of Myanmar, and comprised of five townships: Pekhon, Pinlaung, Naungtaya, Hsi Hseng and Maukmai. Pekhon Diocese covers an area of about 10,150 square miles, and is mostly hilly and mountainous. It has borders with Taunggyi Archdiocese in the East and in the North, Mandalay Archdiocese in the West, Loikaw Diocese in the South and Taungngu Diocese in the South West. The approximate population in Pekhon Diocese is about 298,690. Buddism is the predominant religion whereas Christianity, Animism and a few other religions are minority. There are many ethnic minorities in Pekhon Diocese, such as, Shan, Pa-Oh, Intha, Kayan, Kayah, Lisu and so on.
INSPIRATION:
“LOVE ONE ANOTHER” (John 15: 12)
Vision
A Wholistically developed and peaceful Diocese with fullness of life!
Mission
Spiritual Apostolate
– To serve God and HIS people with faith, hope and love
– To witness the Gospel value by living the spirit of Christ
– To re-evangelize the Diocese by discerning the Christian value through prayer and Eucharist
Social Apostolate
– To live in unity, peace and justice
– To promote integral social development through cooperation and collaboration
– To respond to the needs of the poor and the marginalized
– To promote the stewardship of God’s creations
GENERAL STATISTICS:
Area 10,150 sq. miles
Civil population 301,450
Catholic population 52,650
Parishes 15
Sub-parishes/ Administration 1
Bishop 1
Priests 46
women Religious 52
Men religious 6
Catechists 156
Zetamans (Little Evangelizers) 9
Major seminarians 9
Minor seminarians 52
Catholic Actions (Fathers’ Association) 3,850
St. Anne’s Association (Mothers’ Association) 4,265
Catholic Youths 4,426
Daughters of Mary (Unmarried ladies) 2,340
Holy Childhood 5,915
Rosary Association 207
St. Theresa’s Government Employee 160
Foundling Homes 2
Legion of Mary 18
Former Seminarian Association 198
Myanmar Catholic Church 