New Coadjutor Bishop for Myanmar’s Mawlamyine Diocese

Pope Francis has appointed Father Maurice Nyunt Wai as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Mawlamyine. The official announcement of his appointment is made public on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at noon Rome Time (5:30 p.m. Myanmar Time).

Bishop-elect Maurice Nyunt Wai was born on January 23, 1962, in the village of Myaung-Mya, in the territory of the Diocese of Pathein, Myanmar.

Msgr. Maurice Nyunt Wai attended primary school in Myaung-Mya, Junior High School and Senior High School in Pathein while in the Minor Seminary.

He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph National Major Seminary in Yangon and obtained Bachelors in Arts and Science at the University of Yangon. He did higher studies at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome, obtaining a doctorate in moral theology.

He was ordained a priest on March 11, 1989, and incardinated in the Diocese of Pathein.

Since his priestly ordination, he has been assigned as Assistant Parish Priest at Myaung-Mya Parish ( 1989-1992); Professor at the Major Seminary in Pyin Oo Lwin (1992-1997); Parish Priest in Pathein (2002-2003); Rector of the Minor Seminary in Mayanchaung (2003-2004); Vicar General and Parish Priest of “ St. Peter’s Cathedral” in Pathein (2005-2013) and Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar (2013-2019).

The bishop-elect is the parish priest of Sacred Heart Church in Myaung-Mya, dean of Myaung-Mya Pastoral Zone and Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Theological concerns.