Priest in Myanmar Stabbed to Death

Myanmar, February 16, 2025 - Fr. Donald Martin, a dedicated priest of the Mandalay Archdiocese, was brutally killed while serving in his assigned parish in Kangi Taw Village on February 14, 2025.

On that evening, around 7 PM, the 44-year-old Father Martin was alone at Ludmal Thawma Church when ten armed men entered the premises with knives and guns. The attackers forced Father Martin to kneel down and then proceeded to stab him with knives. Following the incident, ten suspects, including the gang leader, were arrested and taken into custody by the People's Defence Force (PDF) in the Shwebo district. During the arrests, five guns and one long knife were confiscated. It appeared that the gang members were under the influence of alcohol.

According to officials, the attackers demanded that Father Martin kneel as soon as they entered the church. When he questioned, "Why should I kneel?" they stabbed him without firing a single shot. 

A priest , a friend of the deceased Father Martin, said, "Father Martin has been a true and righteous person since his student life and throughout his life as a priest."

Fr. Donald Martin was born on November 11, 1981, and was ordained to the priesthood on March 20, 2018, at Assumption Church, Pyin Oo Lwin. 

He faithfully served in Myanmar for around seven years, dedicating his life to the Church and his community. He has been serving as a religious mission at Ludmae Taw Thaw Khimma Church , Shwe Bo, Kangyi Village, where he is currently in charge, for almost two years. 

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) expressed deep sorrow, stating, "Father Donald Martin, along with Le Naing Win, shed their blood and sacrificed their lives for many innocent people in an effort to end the violence devastating the country."

The Archbishop of Mandalay, together with bishops, religious brothers, and sisters, issued a heartfelt appeal: "Let us take lessons from this heartbreaking tragedy. We earnestly call upon all brothers and sisters to wake up and put an end to the violence."

As the Church prays for justice, the Bishops' Conference of Myanmar urges those responsible to take full accountability and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.

By Tungthang Zou

News Producer and Reporter,

RVA Zo News Service