The Ministry of Home Affairs of the National Unity Government (NUG) has expressed its grief over the killing of a Christian priest in Kan Gyi Taw village, Shwebo township, Sagaing Region, and vows to investigate the incident. On the evening of February 14, 2025 a Christian priest was attacked and hacked to death by a group of armed men at a Christian church in Kangyi Taw village. Ten suspected members of the local defense force were arrested the same day and will be brought to trial, and legal action will be taken against them, the NUG said.
“A court will be held to investigate and action will be taken in accordance with the law. An investigation panel has been formed and investigations are underway,” the NUG said. Local sources said the Christian priest was hacked to death by members of the local security forces who stormed the church and stabbed him to death with a knife. He died from stab wounds to the neck and chest, according to local media.
“Fr. Donald Martin, 44 yrs, and Wadaw, 7, a priest of the Mandalay Archdiocese, passed away on Friday evening, February 14, 2025, at the Luke Mary Church in Kangyi Taw village, Shwebo District,” Myanmar news outlet RVA Myanmar reported. The funeral of the deceased Christian priest was held yesterday in Pin Oo Lwin.
Kangyi Taw village is a village located in the southeast of Shwebo town, on the border of Shwebo and Wetlet townships, with a population of over 1,600 according to the 2014 census. Locals said that in addition to a Christian church, there is also a Buddhist monastery in Kangyi Taw village. Locals said that in early 2023, the military junta raided, looted, and burned Kangyi Taw village, and that in February 2025, the military junta also bombed Kangyi Taw village.
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