Pyay (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Peter Tin Wai, Bishop-Elect
Alexander Pyone Cho, Bishop Emeritus
Gregory Taik Maung, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Name Changed: 8 October 1991
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Yangon
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Myanmar
Square Kilometers: 80,938 (31,262 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, St. Paul's Cathedral Compound, Meegyaung Yeh, Pyay, Myanmar
Telephone: (053)27.505

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Akyab
- Latin Name: de Akyab
- Erected: 9 July 1940
- Country: Myanmar
Prefecture Apostolic of Prome
- Latin Name: Promensis
- Name Changed: 19 September 1957
- Country: Myanmar
Diocese of Prome
- Latin Name: Promensis
- Elevated: 21 February 1961
- Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Rangoon
- Country: Myanmar

Past and Present Ordinaries

Thomas Albert Newman, M.S. † (12 Jul 1940 Appointed - 2 Oct 1975 Resigned)
Joseph Devellerez Thaung Shwe † (2 Oct 1975 Appointed - 3 Dec 2010 Retired)
Alexander Pyone Cho (3 Dec 2010 Appointed - 3 Dec 2024 Retired)
Peter Tin Wai (3 Dec 2024 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Akyab
9 July 1940	Erected	Diocese of Chittagong (Aralcan in Burma (Akyab, Paletto, Eyankpyu, and Sandoway))	Prefecture Apostolic of Akyab (erected)
13 February 1947	Territory Added	Vicariate Apostolic of Southern Burma {Birmania Meridionale} (Prome and Thayetmyo)	Prefecture Apostolic of Akyab
Prefecture Apostolic of Prome
19 September 1957	Name Changed	Prefecture Apostolic of Akyab	Prefecture Apostolic of Prome
Diocese of Prome
21 February 1961	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Prome	Diocese of Prome
Diocese of Pyay
8 October 1991	Name Changed	Diocese of Prome	Diocese of Pyay

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Prefecture Apostolic of Akyab

1950 3,319 1,200,828 .3% 13 13 255 6 6 ap1951

Prefecture Apostolic of Prome

Diocese of Prome

1970 8,990 1,750,000 .5% 1 8 9 998 8 14 4 ap1971

1980 12,373 3,200,000 .4% 8 8 1,546 3 45 13 ap1981

1990 17,500 5,930,000 .3% 17 17 1,029 4 59 20 ap1991

Diocese of Pyay

1999 22,200 8,378,700 .3% 22 22 1,009 2 62 20 ap2000

2000 22,900 8,500,000 .3% 26 26 880 2 69 20 ap2001

2001 23,300 8,700,000 .3% 26 26 896 2 72 20 ap2002

2002 23,718 8,755,000 .3% 25 25 948 2 72 20 ap2003

2003 24,000 8,880,000 .3% 25 25 960 2 74 20 ap2004

2004 24,300 9,028,000 .3% 25 25 972 2 74 20 ap2005

2010 25,000 9,425,000 .3% 31 31 806 69 20 ap2011

2013 25,770 9,793,000 .3% 39 1 40 644 5 72 20 ap2014

2014 25,810 9,889,000 .3% 39 1 40 645 5 105 20 ap2015

2016 26,100 7,000,000 .4% 42 1 43 606 4 76 21 ap2017

2019 27,032 7,181,800 .4% 38 38 711 2 85 22 ap2020

2021 26,842 7,309,130 .4% 43 43 624 87 22 ap2022

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Prefecture Apostolic of Akyab
1950	3,319	1,200,828	.3%		13	13	255		6	6	ap1951
Prefecture Apostolic of Prome
Diocese of Prome
1970	8,990	1,750,000	.5%	1	8	9	998	8	14	4	ap1971
1980	12,373	3,200,000	.4%	8		8	1,546	3	45	13	ap1981
1990	17,500	5,930,000	.3%	17		17	1,029	4	59	20	ap1991
Diocese of Pyay
1999	22,200	8,378,700	.3%	22		22	1,009	2	62	20	ap2000
2000	22,900	8,500,000	.3%	26		26	880	2	69	20	ap2001
2001	23,300	8,700,000	.3%	26		26	896	2	72	20	ap2002
2002	23,718	8,755,000	.3%	25		25	948	2	72	20	ap2003
2003	24,000	8,880,000	.3%	25		25	960	2	74	20	ap2004
2004	24,300	9,028,000	.3%	25		25	972	2	74	20	ap2005
2010	25,000	9,425,000	.3%	31		31	806		69	20	ap2011
2013	25,770	9,793,000	.3%	39	1	40	644	5	72	20	ap2014
2014	25,810	9,889,000	.3%	39	1	40	645	5	105	20	ap2015
2016	26,100	7,000,000	.4%	42	1	43	606	4	76	21	ap2017
2019	27,032	7,181,800	.4%	38		38	711	2	85	22	ap2020
2021	26,842	7,309,130	.4%	43		43	624		87	22	ap2022

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Alexander Pyone Cho (Priest: 15 Mar 1975; Bishop: 3 Dec 2010 to 3 Dec 2024)
Gregory Taik Maung (Priest: 15 Mar 1975; Auxiliary Bishop: 8 Nov 1984 to 16 Jul 2010)
Peter Tin Wai (Priest: 21 Mar 1999; Bishop: 3 Dec 2024 - )

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Joseph Devellerez Thaung Shwe † (Bishop: 2 Oct 1975 to 3 Dec 2010)
Thomas Albert Newman, M.S. † (Prefect: 12 Jul 1940; Bishop: 21 Feb 1961 to 2 Oct 1975)

Source(s)

Prefecture Apostolic of Akyab
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 32, Page 540, and Page 541
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 39, Page 274
Prefecture Apostolic of Prome
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 50, Page 104
Diocese of Prome
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 53, Page 649, to Page 651
Diocese of Pyay
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 83, Page 1,092

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Diocese of Pyay

Dioecesis Pyayensis