Establishment:

• Establishment:

Loikaw Diocese was officially established on April 22, 1989 with territory taken from the Archdiocese of Taunggyi, consisting of 7 Townships, within the Kayah State, Eastern Part of Myanmar.
Soon after its erection as the new diocese in 1989, Loikaw Diocese continued with the Little Evangelizers program which was instituted a year before in 1988. After four years of evangelization activities in Shadaw area, there was a conversion of about 3500 people. Since then (593) young people joined Zetamans and committed at least 3 years services happily. Their zeal and dedication proved that lay people can contribute immensely in the missionary work. Even five of them lost their lives while working in the field of evangelization.
The institution of the Diocesan Pastoral Council on February 5, 1993 has been a big step in the building up and growth of the diocese. Every parish formed its own Pastoral Council to coordinate the apostolate activities of every pious association in the diocese such as Catholic Action, St. Anne's Association, Legion of Mary, Youth, Daughters of Mary, Catechists, Zetaman, Kyaungdagas, Religious and Priests.
The evangelization work of the Church is not limited only to the spiritual aspects but it covers the integral human being based on the teaching of the Church. To promote human and social development in the diocese, Loikaw Karuna was founded on August 23, 1993 and it began the works for all in basic health, education, rural water supply, agriculture and community development animation courses.
The Diocesan Pastoral Centre constructed in 1990 for clergy and administration office was completed and blessed in 1995.
The first Diocesan Pastoral Congress was held on April 17-18, 1996 participated by the then 24 parishes. After presentations and proposals were made by parishes , institutes and other associations, decisions and plans were laid down for future pastoral activities for the diocese.
The diocese celebated its Tenth Year Anniversary on April 22, 1999. The anniversary celebration was marked by the second Diocesan Pastoral Congress held on April 17-21, 1999. The primary objective of the Congress for the diocese was to become a self-governing and self-evanglizing Church.
On the occasion of the Millennium Jubilee celebrated on November 25, 2000, the new Christ the King's Cathedral was consecrated. The occasion was solemnized with the ordination of 7 new priests attended by over 30,000 faithful ,4 Bishops, 200 priests and 300 religious.
The diocese had its third Diocesan Pastoral Congress on May 21-23, 2003. With its aim towards a participatory Church, the congress urged every faithful to actively get involved in all the liturgical leading roles of the Church and to begin the self-supporting projects by Sunday donation, regular contribution of tithe and giving Mass offerin by every family.
Loikaw Karuna celebrated its Tenth Anniversary on December 10-12, 2003 reevaluating the role it has played in sectors of social development, education and rural health-care. It is the goal of Loikaw Karuna to become witness of God's love and for the evangelization work of the local Church.
In communion with the Universal Church, the diocese is celebrating the Eucharistic Year from October 2004 to October 2005 at diocesan level. Diocesan Eucharistic Day was celebrated on November21, 2004 with ordination of 5 new priests atended by over 10,000 faithful. The program also consisted of the Holy Eucharist adoration by groups and concluded with the Eucharistic procession in the evening.

• In brief, as far in 15 years, the following is the data of the present Church of Loikaw Diocese.

1989 /2006
Population 147,397/ 301,187
Christians 70,000 /97,898
Catholics 38,814 /64,074
Percentage 26.33 % /24.74%
Parishes 11/ 30
Associate Parishes 3 Villages 173 /219
Priests 32 /97
Religious Sisters 76 /150
Catechists 127/ 193 Little
Evangelizers 36 160
Major Seminarians 23
Minor Seminarians 92
St. Joseph Brothers 2 2
Little Brothers of St. Francis Xavier 2
Lay Apostolate Associations 11/ 11