Kengtung (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

John Saw Yaw Han, Bishop
Abraham Than, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 1 January 1955
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Taunggyi
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Myanmar
Square Kilometers: 45,856 (17,711 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Catholic Church, Kyaingtong 06231, Myanmar
Telephone: (084)22.018

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Kengtung
- Latin Name: de Keng-Tung
- Erected: 27 April 1927
- Country: Myanmar
Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung
- Latin Name: Kengtunghensis
- Elevated: 26 May 1950
- Vicariate
- Country: Myanmar

Past and Present Ordinaries

Erminio Bonetta, P.I.M.E. † (21 Jun 1927 Appointed - 22 Feb 1949 Died)
Fernando Guercilena, P.I.M.E. † (31 May 1950 Appointed - 19 Sep 1972 Resigned)
Abraham Than (19 Sep 1972 Appointed - 2 Oct 2001 Resigned)
Peter Louis Cakü † (2 Oct 2001 Appointed - 20 Feb 2020 Died)
John Saw Yaw Han (4 Nov 2022 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Kengtung
27 April 1927	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Eastern Burma {Birmania Orientale} (Keng-Tung)	Prefecture Apostolic of Kengtung (erected)
9 March 1936	Territory Added	Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Burma {Birmania Settentrionale} (Shan de Tawng Peng, Hsenwi Septentrionali, Hsenwi Meridionali, and part of Munglun)	Prefecture Apostolic of Kengtung
Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung
26 May 1950	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Kengtung	Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung
14 June 1951	Territory Added	Vicariate Apostolic of Mandalay (Hsipaw except Mong Long)	Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung
14 February 1952	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung (Kayah and area south of 20th parallel)	Vicariate Apostolic of Toungoo
Diocese of Kengtung
1 January 1955	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung	Diocese of Kengtung
20 November 1975	Territory Lost	Diocese of Kengtung (North-Eastern Shan States and Northern Shan States) Diocese of Myitkyina (Northern Shan States)	Prefecture Apostolic of Lashio (erected)
17 January 1998	Metropolitan Changed		Diocese of Kengtung (from Mandalay)

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

Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung

1950 7,501 900,000 .8% 23 23 326 52 12 ap1951

Diocese of Kengtung

1970 26,168 1,200,000 2.2% 4 10 14 1,869 10 77 16 ap1971

1980 34,500 579,000 6.0% 9 3 12 2,875 10 51 10 ap1981

1988 37,024 802,000 4.6% 22 2 24 1,542 9 71 11 ap1991

1999 52,105 961,689 5.4% 31 31 1,680 2 101 23 ap2000

2000 54,326 971,896 5.6% 32 32 1,697 2 108 23 ap2001

2001 56,849 984,858 5.8% 29 29 1,960 2 111 23 ap2002

2002 60,669 999,858 6.1% 23 23 2,637 1 111 23 ap2003

2003 45,018 1,000,500 4.5% 25 25 1,800 1 87 20 ap2004

2006 58,000 1,028,000 5.6% 30 30 1,933 95 21 ap2007

2013 62,600 2,283,500 2.7% 33 33 1,896 128 20 ap2014

2016 55,161 3,422,400 1.6% 36 36 1,532 97 20 ap2017

2019 45,000 3,512,940 1.3% 36 5 41 1,097 8 91 20 ap2020

2021 45,760 3,575,000 1.3% 34 2 36 1,271 2 111 22 ap2022

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung
1950	7,501	900,000	.8%	23		23	326		52	12	ap1951
Diocese of Kengtung
1970	26,168	1,200,000	2.2%	4	10	14	1,869	10	77	16	ap1971
1980	34,500	579,000	6.0%	9	3	12	2,875	10	51	10	ap1981
1988	37,024	802,000	4.6%	22	2	24	1,542	9	71	11	ap1991
1999	52,105	961,689	5.4%	31		31	1,680	2	101	23	ap2000
2000	54,326	971,896	5.6%	32		32	1,697	2	108	23	ap2001
2001	56,849	984,858	5.8%	29		29	1,960	2	111	23	ap2002
2002	60,669	999,858	6.1%	23		23	2,637	1	111	23	ap2003
2003	45,018	1,000,500	4.5%	25		25	1,800	1	87	20	ap2004
2006	58,000	1,028,000	5.6%	30		30	1,933		95	21	ap2007
2013	62,600	2,283,500	2.7%	33		33	1,896		128	20	ap2014
2016	55,161	3,422,400	1.6%	36		36	1,532		97	20	ap2017
2019	45,000	3,512,940	1.3%	36	5	41	1,097	8	91	20	ap2020
2021	45,760	3,575,000	1.3%	34	2	36	1,271	2	111	22	ap2022

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

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Erminio Bonetta, P.I.M.E. † (Prefect: 21 Jun 1927 to 22 Feb 1949)
Peter Louis Cakü † (Priest: 4 Apr 1982; Auxiliary Bishop: 20 May 1997; Bishop: 2 Oct 2001 to 20 Feb 2020)
Fernando Guercilena, P.I.M.E. † (Vicar Apostolic: 31 May 1950; Bishop: 1 Jan 1955 to 19 Sep 1972)

Source(s)

Prefecture Apostolic of Kengtung
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 19, Page 302, and Page 303
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 28, Page 297, and Page 298
Vicariate Apostolic of Kengtung
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 43, Page 60, and Page 61
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 43, Page 809
Diocese of Kengtung
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 47, Page 263, to Page 266
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 90, Page 307, and Page 308

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Diocese of Kengtung

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