In Shwebo District, Sagaing Region, a local PDF group was involved in the murder of a Catholic priest. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, called for justice and appropriate action against those responsible for the killing on February 15.
Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win, a Catholic priest from Mandalay, was tragically killed by a group of armed individuals on the evening of February 14, 2025. The news of his death caused great shock and sorrow. Along with Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the entire Catholic community in Myanmar, including bishops, priests, fellow believers, and family members of Father Donald, expressed deep grief. Cardinal Maung Bo offered his condolences, asking for God’s comfort for the hearts and minds of all affected by this loss.
Cardinal Bo also called for the cessation of the violence that has been spreading across the country, particularly in light of the innocent lives lost alongside Father Donald. He urged the public to learn from this tragedy and make a strong appeal for an end to the violence. Cardinal Bo stated that such brutal acts should not be easily forgotten and urged the responsible authorities to take appropriate legal action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
According to some media outlets, the attack on Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win occurred in Kan Gyi Taw village, Shwebo District, where he was fatally stabbed by 10 members of a local militia group. These perpetrators have been apprehended by Shwebo District’s PDF battalion 5 and are currently in custody for questioning.
According to records up to June 2024, during the conflict, over 100 monks and one pastor have passed away. The number of monks who died due to mutual shootings and battles accounts for only a small percentage, while over 90% of the deaths were caused by various accusations and killings by PDFs.
Due to attacks and killings by PDF groups, over 100 Buddhist monks and two nuns have passed away.
Following the conflicts after February 1, 2021, according to records from both sides, over 100 monks serving religious duties have passed away, and the civilian death toll has exceeded 10,000.
