In union with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we are called to diligently pray for peace in so many troubled areas of the world and to pray for those whose lives are upended.
Very recently, distressing news has come again from Myanmar, whose civil war has caused thousands of refugees to flee for safety to our United States, including western Kentucky. A young priest, Fr. Donald Martin Ye Naing Win, was murdered on February 14 in his parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Archdiocese of Mandalay. Fr. Donald attended the same seminary of our own Fr. Stephen Van Lal Than before Fr. Stephen came to study and be ordained a priest of our Diocese of Owensboro.
In addition, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Mindat in Chin State was recently shelled by the military junta and sustained serious damages. In 2020, during my visit to Myanmar, I celebrated Mass in this church. That visit stands out as one of my dearest memories of traveling as a pilgrim to the nations that have provided priests to our diocese. This past January, Mindat had been selected to be the seat of the new Diocese of Mindat, and Sacred Heart of Jesus had been designated as the cathedral.
The situation in Myanmar is just one example of the turmoil happening across the globe – turmoil that has caused millions of people to depart their beloved homelands to escape poverty, exploitation, violence, and religious persecution.
I ask you to join me in prayer for peace in our world, in our communities, and in our hearts.
Most Reverend William F. Medley
Diocese of Owensboro