Roman Catholic Diocese of Pyay
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pyay (Lat: Diocesis Pyayensis) is a diocese
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
in Burma.
Originally erected in 1940 as the apostolic prefecture of Akyab, the prefecture has the distinction of being the only ecclesisiastical territory in Burma created from the Diocese of Chittagong.
In 1957, the name was changed to the apostolic prefecture of Prome.
In 1961, the prefecture was elevated to a full diocese.
Finally in 1991, the diocese was renamed the Diocese of Pyay and became a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Yangon
The most recent head of the diocese, who served up until mid-2010, was Auxiliary Bishop Gregory Taik Maung, appointed in 1991 and who was serving as Apostolic Administrator. His resignation as Apostolic Administrator was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI
on Friday, July 16, 2010. On Friday, December 3, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI
accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph Devellerez Thaung Shwe as Bishop. The Pope appointed a Burmese priest, Alexander Pyone Cho, a native of the Pyay Diocese (on loan "fidei donum" to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina
, Kansas
), as the Bishop-elect of Pyay.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in Burma.
Originally erected in 1940 as the apostolic prefecture of Akyab, the prefecture has the distinction of being the only ecclesisiastical territory in Burma created from the Diocese of Chittagong.
In 1957, the name was changed to the apostolic prefecture of Prome.
In 1961, the prefecture was elevated to a full diocese.
Finally in 1991, the diocese was renamed the Diocese of Pyay and became a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Yangon
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Yangon
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Yangon is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Myanmar. The current Archbishop of Yangon is His Excellency Charles Bo, SDB, having been appointed by John Paul II on May 24, 2003....
The most recent head of the diocese, who served up until mid-2010, was Auxiliary Bishop Gregory Taik Maung, appointed in 1991 and who was serving as Apostolic Administrator. His resignation as Apostolic Administrator was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on Friday, July 16, 2010. On Friday, December 3, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph Devellerez Thaung Shwe as Bishop. The Pope appointed a Burmese priest, Alexander Pyone Cho, a native of the Pyay Diocese (on loan "fidei donum" to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina
Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina is a Roman Catholic diocese covering thirty-one counties in Kansas. The episcopal see is in Salina, Kansas...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
), as the Bishop-elect of Pyay.
Ordinaries
- Bishop Thomas Albert Newman, M.S. † (12 July 1940 Appointed - 2 October 1975 Resigned)
- Bishop Joseph Devellerez Thaung Shwe (2 October 1975 Appointed Bishop - 3 December 2010 Resigned as Bishop)
- Auxiliary Bishop Gregory Taik Maung (1991 Appointed Apostolic Administrator - 16 July 2010 Resigned as Apostolic Administrator because of ill health); the Diocese was overseen from July 2010 to December 2010 by a neighboring Archbishop
- Bishop-elect Alexander Pyone Cho (3 December 2010 Appointed - )