Metropolitan Archdiocese of Yangon, Myanmar

Continent: South and East Asia

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Metropolitan Archdiocese Metr. Archdiocese

Name: Yangon / Yangonen(sis) (Latin)

Suffragan Sees: Hpa-an, Mawlamyine, Pathein, Pyay

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Website:

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1741: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Ava and Pegu (English) (from Diocese of Tomé)
1838: Gained territory from the suppressed Diocese of Malacca
1856: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Burma / Birmania (Italiano)
1866.11.27: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Southwestern Burma (English) / Birmania Sudoccidentale (Italiano) (lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Central Burma and Apostolic Vicariate of Eastern Burma)
1870.07.19: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Burma (English) / Birmania Meridionale (Italiano) / Birmaniæ Meridionalis (Latin)
1953.05.07: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Rangoon (English) / Rangunen(sis) (Latin)
1955.01.01: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Rangoon (English) / Rangunen(sis) (Latin) (with suffragan sees Bassein, Toungoo and Akyab and lost territory to establish Diocese of Bassein)
1960.04.11: Lost territory to Metropolitan Archdiocese of Ranchi
1961.03.21: Gained suffragan see Taunggyi
1988.11.14: Gained suffragan see Loikaw
1991.10.08: Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Yangon / Yangonen(sis) (Latin)
1993.03.22: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Mawlamyine and gained suffragan see Mawlamyine
1998.01.17: Lost suffragan sees Loikaw, Taunggyi and Taungngu
2009.01.24: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Hpa-an and gained suffragan see Hpa-an

Papal Visits

Pope Francis (2017.11)

Present Prelates

Metropolitan Archbishop (2003.05.24 – ...):

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, S.D.B. (76)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Ireneo a Centocelle

President of Myanmar Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Auxiliary Bishop (2020.11.10 – ...):

Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye (55)

Titular Bishop of Malamocco

Auxiliary Bishop (2024.03.26 – ...):

Bishop Francis Than Htun (50)

Titular Bishop of Strongoli

Ordinaries

Metropolitan Archbishops of Yangon (Roman Rite)

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, S.D.B. (76)
(2003.05.24 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Ireneo a Centocelle
Metropolitan Archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar)
President of Myanmar Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Omnia possum in eo

Born:	1948.10.29 (Mohla, Myanmar)
Ordained Priest:	1976.04.09
Consecrated Bishop:	1990.12.16
Created Cardinal:	2015.02.14

Apostolic Administrator of Lashio (Myanmar) (1985 – 1986)

Prefect Apostolic of Lashio (Myanmar) (1986 – 1990.07.07)

Bishop of Lashio (Myanmar) (1990.07.07 – 1996.03.13)

Bishop of Pathein (Myanmar) (1996.03.13 – 2003.05.24)

President of Myanmar Catholic Bishops’ Conference (2000 – 2006)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar) (2003.05.24 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Ireneo a Centocelle (2015.02.14 [2015.10.21] – ...)

President of Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (2019.01.01 – 2025.01.01)

President of Myanmar Catholic Bishops’ Conference (2020? – ...)

Apostolic Administrator of Myitkyina (Myanmar) (2020.11.18 – 2024.10.29)

Bishop Sotero Phamo (81)
(Apostolic Administrator 2002.09.30 – 2003.05.24)

Archbishop Gabriel Thohey Mahn-Gaby
(1991.10.08 – 2002.09.30)

Born:	1927.09.19 (Myanmar)
Ordained Priest:	1951.12.21
Consecrated Bishop:	1965.02.02
Died:	2016.05.05 († 88)

Titular Archbishop of Stauropolis (1964.11.09 – 1971.06.19)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Rangoon (Myanmar) (1964.11.09 – 1971.06.19)

President of Myanmar Catholic Bishops’ Conference (1969 – 1976)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Rangoon (Myanmar) (1971.06.19 – 1991.10.08)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar) (1991.10.08 – 2002.09.30)

Metropolitan Archbishops of Rangoon (Roman Rite)

Archbishop Gabriel Thohey Mahn-Gaby
(1971.06.19 – 1991.10.08)

(see above)

Archbishop Victor Bazin, M.E.P.
(1955.01.01 – 1971.06.19)

Born:	1905.01.24 (France)
Ordained Priest:	1929.02.23
Consecrated Bishop:	1953.10.18
Died:	1975.01.26 († 70)

Titular Bishop of Achyraus (1953.05.07 – 1955.01.01)

Vicar Apostolic of Rangoon (Myanmar) (1953.05.07 – 1955.01.01)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Rangoon (Myanmar) (1955.01.01 – 1971.06.19)

President of Myanmar Catholic Bishops’ Conference (1967 – 1969)

Vicars Apostolic of Rangoon (Roman Rite)

Bishop Victor Bazin, M.E.P. (later Archbishop)
(1953.05.07 – 1955.01.01)

(see above)

Vicars Apostolic of Southern Burma (Roman Rite)

Bishop Frédéric-Joseph-Marie Provost, M.E.P.
(1931.04.10 – 1952.09.27)

Born:	1877.06.21 (France)
Ordained Priest:	1900.06.24
Consecrated Bishop:	1929.11.21
Died:	1952.09.27 († 75)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Southern Burma (Myanmar) (1929.05.20 – 1931.04.10)

Titular Bishop of Macri (1929.05.20 – 1952.09.27)

Vicar Apostolic of Southern Burma (Myanmar) (1931.04.10 – 1952.09.27)

Bishop Félix-Henri-François-Donatien Perroy, M.E.P.
(1925.10.18 – 1931.04.10)

Born:	1866.05.31 (France)
Ordained Priest:	1889.03.03
Consecrated Bishop:	1921.01.18
Died:	1931.04.10 († 64)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Southern Burma (Myanmar) (1920.05.11 – 1925.10.18)

Titular Bishop of Medea (1920.05.11 – 1931.04.10)

Vicar Apostolic of Southern Burma (Myanmar) (1925.10.18 – 1931.04.10)

Bishop Alexandre Cardot, M.E.P.
(1894.03.19 – 1925.10.18)

Born:	1857.01.10 (France)
Ordained Priest:	1879.09.20
Consecrated Bishop:	1893.06.24
Died:	1925.10.18 († 68)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Southern Burma (Myanmar) (1893.03.21 – 1894.03.19)

Titular Bishop of Limyra (1893.03.21 – 1925.10.18)

Vicar Apostolic of Southern Burma (Myanmar) (1894.03.19 – 1925.10.18)

Bishop Paul Ambroise Bigandet, M.E.P.
(1870.07.19 – 1894.03.13)

Born:	1813.08.13 (France)
Ordained Priest:	1837.02.18
Consecrated Bishop:	1846.03.30
Died:	1894.03.13 († 80)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Western Siam (Malaysia) (1846.03.27 – 1866)

Titular Bishop of Ramata (1846.03.27 – 1894.03.13)

Apostolic Administrator of Burma (Myanmar) (1856 – 1866.11.27)

Vicar Apostolic of Southwestern Burma (Myanmar) (1866.11.27 – 1870.07.19)

Vicar Apostolic of Southern Burma (Myanmar) (1870.07.19 – 1894.03.13)

Vicars Apostolic of Southwestern Burma (Roman Rite)

Bishop Paul Ambroise Bigandet, M.E.P.
(1866.11.27 – 1870.07.19)

(see above)

Vicars Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Roman Rite)

Bishop Paul Ambroise Bigandet, M.E.P.
(Apostolic Administrator 1856 – 1866.11.27)

Bishop Giovanni Antonio Balma, O.M.V. (later Archbishop)
(1848.09.05 – 1855.09.09)

Born:	1817.01.17 (Italy)
Ordained Priest:	1839.07
Consecrated Bishop:	1849.04.15
Died:	1881.04.05 († 64)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1848.09.05 – 1855.09.09)

Titular Bishop of Ptolemais (1848.09.05 – 1871.10.27)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Cagliari (Italy) (1871.10.27 – 1881.04.05)

Bishop Giovanni Dominico Faustino Ceretti, O.M.V.
(1842.07.05 – 1846.12.26)

Born:	1793.02.15 (Italy)
Consecrated Bishop:	1842.07.31
Died:	1855.12.25 († 62)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1842.07.05 – 1846.12.26)

Titular Bishop of Antæopolis (1842.07.05 – 1855.12.25)

Bishop Frederic Cao, Sch. P.
(1830.06.18 – 1841.07.11)

Born:	1784.10.01
Consecrated Bishop:	1830.06.20
Died:	1852.06.27 († 67)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1830.06.18 – 1841.07.11)

Titular Bishop of Zama (1830.06.18 – 1852.06.27)

Bishop Marcello Cortenovis, B.
(1797.02.14 – 1798.10.25)

Born:	1731.03.03
Died:	1798.10.25 († 67)

Titular Bishop of Sebastopolis (1797.02.14 – 1798.10.25)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1797.02.14 – 1798.10.25)

Bishop Gaetano Mantegazza, B.
(1780.05.05 – 1794.08.04)

Born:	1745.04.11 (Italy)
Ordained Priest:	1768.05.28
Consecrated Bishop:	1786.11.12
Died:	1794.08.04 († 49)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1778.06.25 – 1780.05.05)

Titular Bishop of Maximianopolis (1778.06.25 – 1794.08.04)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1780.05.05 – 1794.08.04)

Bishop Gherardo Cortenovis, B.
(1778.01.28 – 1780.05.05)

Born:	1729.10.27
Ordained Priest:	1748.09.29
Consecrated Bishop:	1780.02.02
Died:	1780.05.05 († 50)

Titular Bishop of Sozopolis (1778.01.28 – 1780.05.05)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1778.01.28 – 1780.05.05)

Bishop Giovanni Maria Percoto, B.
(1765.11.08 – 1776.12.12)

Born:	1729.06.25
Ordained Priest:	1752.06
Consecrated Bishop:	1768.01.31
Died:	1776.12.12 († 47)

Titular Bishop of Maxula (1765.11.08 – 1776.12.12)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1765.11.08 – 1776.12.12)

Bishop Paolo Antonio Nerini, B.
(1753.11.16 – 1756.08.11)

Born:	1710.11.01
Died:	1756.08.11 († 45)

Titular Bishop of Oreus (1753.11.16 – 1756.08.11)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1753.11.16 – 1756.08.11)

Bishop Pio Gallizia, B.
(1741.01.25 – 1745.03.23)

Consecrated Bishop:	1741.01.29
Died:	1745.03.23

Titular Bishop of Clysma (1741.01.25 – 1745.03.23)

Vicar Apostolic of Ava and Pegu (Myanmar) (1741.01.25 – 1745.03.23)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Archbishop: Archbishop Gabriel Thohey Mahn-Gaby (1964.11.09 – 1971.06.19)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop Frédéric-Joseph-Marie Provost, M.E.P. (1929.05.20 – 1931.04.10)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop Félix-Henri-François-Donatien Perroy, M.E.P. (1920.05.11 – 1925.10.18)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop Alexandre Cardot, M.E.P. (1893.03.21 – 1894.03.19)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop Luigi Grondona, B. (1797.02.14 – 1832.08.29)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Fr. Vincenzo Sangermano, B. (1792.02.14 – 1819)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop-elect Gaetano Mantegazza, B. (1778.06.25 – 1780.05.05)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop John Saw Yaw Han (56) (2014.12.30 – 2022.11.04)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Justin Saw Min Thide (73) (2007.07.16 – 2009.01.24)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Raymond Saw Po Ray (76) (1987.07.03 – 1993.03.22)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Yangon, Yangon

Churches by City (49)

Pathein (←), Pyay (↖), Taungngu (↑), Hpa-an (→)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 47,192 km²

Population: 63,856 Catholics (0.5% of 12,536,000 total)

Pastoral Centres: 51 parishes, 7 missions

Personnel: 120 priests (94 diocesan, 26 religious), 484 religious (62 brothers, 422 sisters), 10 seminarians