Joaquim Magalhães de Castro
The Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS), internationally known as Caritas Myanmar, celebrated its 25th anniversary, reaffirming its mission of charity and closeness to the poor and suffering. The Catholic humanitarian aid organization, which annually supports more than one million people through its extensive network, operates today in a dramatic context marked by civil war following the 2021 military coup and the devastating effects of two strong earthquakes in Myanmar in March 2025. The anniversary celebrations, held in Yangon in recent days, brought together religious leaders, Caritas officials, clergy, members of religious orders, donors, volunteers and international partners, and were characterized by one word: gratitude. All those present expressed their appreciation for Karuna’s work, which reaffirmed its commitment to supporting needy communities throughout Myanmar.
Among the guests at the jubilee celebration, Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, emphasized: “What we do is very important, but the way we do it is even more so. We are an expression of Christ’s love and witnesses to it.” He encouraged Caritas Myanmar to continue bringing “love and the Good News of the Gospel” to people throughout the country. The Archbishop of Yangon, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, expressed gratitude for Caritas Myanmar’s 25 years of service during a Mass in Yangon. He described the organization’s work as “love made visible.” He recalled Caritas’ invaluable commitment in times of peace and especially in times of crisis, when they are marked by conflict, displacement, poverty, and social hardship.
The Cardinal thanked “the countless staff, volunteers, priests, and religious who have quietly continued their mission despite the pressure and difficulties.” “For love moves us,” he said. In light of the current challenges facing Myanmar — the country is in the midst of a “polycrisis” — Cardinal Bo stressed that Caritas continues to be a “life-saving hand” amidst conflict, economic hardship, and widespread suffering. “Despite the difficulties, we continue to love,” he said, calling for “new hope and peace for Myanmar.” Monsignor Andrea Ferrante, Chargé d’Affaires of the Holy See in Myanmar, conveyed the greetings and prayers of Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the Jubilee. “This 25th anniversary is a milestone for which we thank the Lord for the progress we have made and renew our commitment,” he declared, praising Caritas Myanmar for its assistance in humanitarian emergencies, including Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and the 2025 earthquake, and encouraging the organization to continue its relief efforts despite crises. Over the past 25 years, Caritas has supported communities across the country through humanitarian aid, educational initiatives, emergency relief, and social development programs. The organization has 16 diocesan offices. To respond to the crises triggered by the conflict and the 2025 earthquake, it operates in more than 5,200 villages and refugee camps. The main beneficiaries of Karuna’s programs are the most vulnerable and affected by conflict: internally displaced persons, rural and isolated communities, and families who have lost their land and livelihoods due to conflict or natural disasters. The focus is on women and children who are at greatest risk of exploitation and malnutrition in unstable contexts. There is also a special treatment and inclusion program for patients with HIV/AIDS – a disease that has one of the highest incidence rates in Southeast Asia in Myanmar.
Meanwhile, due to the civil war ravaging the country, five bishops from the country’s 17 dioceses have been forced to abandon their episcopal sees and cathedrals and reside in parishes located in safer areas, away from the clashes between the army and rebel groups. “They are the bishops of the dioceses of Pekhon, Loikaw, Banmaw, Mindat and Lashio,” explained Bishop Felice Ba Htoo of Pekhon, in Shan State, to the Fides news agency. The prelate described the suffering endured by the country’s pastors, who in the last five years have witnessed their nation being marked by the conflict and its serious consequences for the population. “We bishops are not immune to this reality either. Many of our parishes have been closed because they were damaged, attacked or because they lost their faithful,” he noted. The bishops of Myanmar are currently in the Vatican for their ad limina Apostolorum visit and in this context they met with Pope Leo XIV, with whom they discussed the situation in the country and prayed for peace and reconciliation. Bishop Felice Ba Htoo described his current mission: “We do not know what the future holds for us. We live in the present, trusting in God. Our task is to be close to the people, to the displaced.” “We have internal cases scattered throughout the country: some in the jungle, others in refugee camps, others in villages less affected by the violence. We try to find them, console them, and offer them a word of hope.” “With the Catholics, we celebrate the sacraments. We encourage them to live in a spirit of fraternity, cooperation, and mutual support, so that they can overcome this difficult time. People are tired and traumatized by a conflict that has lasted five years. In this context of trial and suffering, we live our pilgrimage of hope,” he said. Priests, religious, and catechists remain close to the population, he explained, preaching peace and reconciliation to prevent hatred from prevailing. “We trust in God and pray for a time of light for our future.” The bishop also described the serious humanitarian situation in the diocese, which has received at least 40,000 newly displaced people of various religions, seeking safety, mainly in the western part of the diocesan territory. Access to water has become a determining factor in journeys. “People are looking for places with water, because it is scarce in our region,” he said. In the early years of the conflict, local communities generously shared land and resources, but after five years of war, the situation has deteriorated: “Now, residents need to support their own families and no longer have resources to share. The humanitarian situation has worsened.” Currently, thousands of displaced people live in more than 30 camps in the region, while others survive in makeshift settlements that allow them to subsist.
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