Bishop John Saw Yaw Han, the newly appointed Bishop of Keng Tung Diocese in Myanmar, delivered a video message to the Catholic faithful in Keng Tung via social media, particularly on the Diocesan OSC Facebook page on November 11.

In his video message, Bishop Saw Yaw Han thanked God and Pope Francis for an appointment and said, “I am grateful to God and His Holiness Pope Francis for choosing me to serve the Diocese of Keng Tung although I am not worthy due to my weakness.”

The prelate assured that “As much as I can I will work together with priests, men and women religious, catechists, and laypeople in the Diocese of Keng Tung for the spiritual benefits, social development, and peaceful coexistence with people in the environment as long as I am alive.”

Bishop Saw Yaw Han appreciated the late PEME missionary priests, Bishops, lay ministers, and their successors who were indigenous Bishops, priests, nuns, catechists, and lay Catholics, both the dead and alive, in the Diocese of Keng Tung for the respective apostolic works they did.

“I make up my mind that I will collaborate with priests, men and women religious, catechists, and laypeople in the Diocese by God’s grace.  Let us serve the best according to the respective apostolic work assigned to each one,” said the prelate.

The newly appointed Bishop invited all the Catholic faithful by saying, “let us do our best to receive God’s protection, to be sons and daughters who rely on God’s might without discouragement despite many difficulties in this missionary journey.”

He added, “I am going to serve with a joyful heart if God will allow me to stay in His Kingdom as one of the least at the last moment and let you know that I will expect the least position in service.”

In his conclusion, Bishop John Saw Yaw Han requested all the faithful to support him with prayers so that he may be able to minister well.

“May God bless each one of you,” blessed the prelate, and said, “Thank you.”

The installation of the newly appointed Bishop will be on December 14, 2022, announced by Father Stephen Ano, the Secretary of the Diocese on November 12.

Pope Francis appointed Msgr Saw Yaw Han as Bishop of the Diocese of Kengtung on November 4 at noon, Rome time (5:30 PM Myanmar time).

From 2014, Saw Yaw Han was serving as titular bishop of Buffada and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Yangon.

On December 30, 2014, Pope Francis appointed him as titular bishop of Buffada and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Yangon. His episcopal ordination was held on April 12, 2015.

At present, he is the Secretary-General and Treasurer of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar.

He is also the President of the Episcopal Commission for Ecumenism in Myanmar.