Myanmar Army Forces Set Fire to Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church
Myanmar army forces attacked Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church and set it ablaze.
On March 17th, which coincided with the national holiday and Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, Myanmar army forces attacked Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kachin State and set it on fire. This attack followed an airstrike by Myanmar’s air force on the city of Mandalay, in which at least 27 people, including children, were killed.
The civil war in Myanmar began in February 2021 following a military coup and continues to this day. Since the military coup, Christians in Myanmar have faced severe harassment, persecution, and military violence, with violations of human rights among religious minorities increasing significantly.
Christians have been targeted by multiple army attacks since the 2021 coup. One of the most horrific attacks occurred on January 14, 2023, when a church came under aerial bombardment, resulting in the deaths of 11 Christians. The Myanmar military did not limit itself to these attacks; in several instances, it has directly attacked Christian places of worship, including churches and house churches, killing Christians. In one of the most horrific attacks on January 14, 2023, when a church was subjected to aerial attack, 11 Christians lost their lives. The Myanmar military was not satisfied with these attacks alone, but in several cases directly attacked Christian places of worship, including churches and house churches, and murdered Christians.
Systematic discrimination against Christians in Myanmar continues, placing them in serious danger. The Myanmar army’s attacks on Christian places of worship represent serious violations of human rights in Myanmar, drawing the attention of the international community to support religious minorities.
