1. Brief History

The Diocese of Pekhon where the evangelizing works started by PIME Missionaries in the late 19th century, primarily belonged to the Archdiocese of Taunggyi। As the mission territory was far distant and the number of believers was considerably increasing, it was established as a New Diocese by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on December 15, 2005, as a Suffragan of Archdiocese of Taunggyi. It was inaugurated as a new diocese by His Grace Msgr. Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Delegate to the Union of Myanmar on April 1, 2006. Msgr. Peter Hla who was elected as the auxiliary Bishop of Taunggyi in 2001 was installed as its first Bishop on the same day.

2. Diocesan Profile

Pekhon Diocese is situated in the southern part of Shan State, on the Eastern part of Myanmar. There are 5 townships in the Diocese and they are Pekhon, Pinlaung, Naungtaya, Hsi Hseng and Mawkmai. Pekhon Diocese covers an area of about 10,150 square miles, and is mostly hilly and mountainous. It has borders with Taunggyi Diocese in the East and in the North, Mandalay Diocese in the West, Loikaw Diocese in the South and Taungngu Diocese in the South-West. The approximate population in Pekhon Diocese is about 235,000 people. Buddhism is the predominant religion whereas Christianity, animism and a few other religions are the minority. There are many ethnic minorities in Pekhon Diocese; Shan, Paoh, Intha, Kayan, Kayah, and Lisu.

3. INSPIRATION:

“LOVE ONE ANOTHER” (John; 15; 12)

4. Mission – Vision of the Diocese

Mission – To follow and actualize the meaning of the Name of the Diocese: PEKHON.

“PEKHON” the Meaning of P.E.K.H.O.N

P = Prayer,

E = Eucharist,

K = Kindness-Compassion-Charity,

H = Honesty-Sincerity and

O = Obedience which is to be actualized

N = “NOW”.

Vision – To build up a community of faith, love, obedience, cooperation with priests, religious and people which means Re-evangelization.

5. GENERAL S­TATISTICS:

PKNmission

1. Area 10,150 sq. miles
   
2. Civil population 235,000
   
3. Catholic population 42,018
   
4. Parishes 9
   
5. Priests 35
   
6. Religious sisters 47
   
7. Man religious 4
   
8. Catechists 142
   
9. Zetamans (Little Evangelizers) 29
   
10. Major seminarians 15
    
11. Minor seminarians 65
    
12. Catholic Action members 2,009
    
13. St. Anne’s association 1,619
    
14. Catholic Youth members 2,441
    
15. Holy Childhood members 2,695
    
16. Foundling Homes 2
    
17. Mission Rosary Association 202
    
18. St. Theresa’s Government Employee Association 130