A memorial mass for Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of Pathein diocese in the Ayeyarwaddy Region of Myanmar was celebrated on July 22.

The prelate died of Covid-19 on July 22, 2021, at the age of 68.

Bishop Maurice Nyunt Wai, the Coadjutor of Mawlamyaing diocese, presided over the memorial mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral located in the City of Pathein at 7 in the morning.

In his homily, Bishop Nyunt Wai said, “Bishop John Hsane Hyi not only lived as a representative of Christ but live as a clone of Christ.”

The prelate continues saying, “Although his preaching is as sharp as swords, his heart is as sweet as honey.”

 “During Nargis cyclone in 2008, heavy flood in some parts of Pathein diocese every rainy season and Covid-19 pandemic, Bishop Hsane Hgyi distributed food aids to his starving sheep when he was alive,’ noted Bishop Nyunt Wai, and added, “The departed Bishop taught his Catholic faithful in action how to give donations.”

“Bishop John Hsane Hgyi like his patron saint John Chrysostom was good at preaching. I miss his homilies,” said Francina, a parishioner of Cathedral parish. 

After mass, the Diocesan Administrator Father Henry Eikhlein gave words of thanks to Bishop Maurice Nyunt Wai and all participants.

Round about five hundred Catholics attended the memorial mass.

The late Bishop John Hsane Hgyi served the Diocese of Pathein for eighteen years.

“The departed Bishop was well-known as online Bishop because of his audiovisual preaching online and the first Bishop who initiated online ministry on the internet, especially on social media, Facebook in particular,” remarked Father Raymond Kyaw Aung.

“He was an active head in interfaith dialogue program in Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar,” said Father Eikhlein.

Father Felix Soe Win said, “Bishop John Hsane Hgyi was very patient with those who criticized and misunderstood him. He never reacted to them. Instead, he kept critics and misunderstandings in his heart.”

“The parishioners in the Cathedral parish feel that their Bishop is still present with them although it has been for one year he passed away,” Father Soe Win told RVA.

The prelate was born on Dec. 15, 1953. He was ordained deacon on Dec. 3, 1981, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon, and became a priest on March 7, 1982, at Zaung Dan parish of Pathein Diocese.

He was named Bishop on March 22, 2003, and was installed as Bishop of Pathein on Aug. 24, 2003.

He was a rector of the Institute of Philosophy in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, and a rector of the Institute of Theology in Yangon, Myanmar.

The Diocese of Pathein was established as a suffragan diocese of the Metropolitan Yangon in 1956.