In a land area of 22,235 square kilometers, the diocesan territory covers 3 townships of Chin State: Tedim, Tonzang and Chikha, and 6 townships of Sagaing Division: Tamu, Kalay, Kalewa, Phaungbyin, Mawlaik and Homalin. Kalay diocese is located in the northwestern part of Myanmar (Burma), bordering on India.
There are 1,373,918 inhabitants in the territory; two thirds of the region are situated on the mountainous and hilly ranges. The majority of the inhabitants are Chin-hill-tribal people.
There are 1,373,918 inhabitants in the territory; two thirds of the region are situated on the mountainous and hilly ranges. The majority of the inhabitants are Chin-hill-tribal people.
The Chin State was under the Archdiocese of Mandalay until Hakha Diocese was established on Nov. 21, 1992. Bishop Nicholas Mang Thang, becoming the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mandalay after his episcopal ordination on Jan. 15, 1989, was appointed the first Bishop of Hakha Diocese. He was enthroned on March 21, 1993 in Hakha. Pope Benedict XVI elevated Msgr. Felix Lian Khen Thang, one of Chin priests from the same diocese, to the rank of episcopacy and appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Hakha Diocese. His episcopal ordination was held on May 6, 2006.
On May 22, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI erected a new diocese of Kalay with the territory taken from Hakha Diocese and Auxiliary bishop of Hakha diocese was appointed as ordinary of Kalay diocese. The installation was held on June 29, 2010.
There is a domestic airport only at Kalay where the diocesan centre locates. Most of the roads that can be used by car are not serviceable during the rainy seaon but only during summer and winter seasons. A few kilometers of railways can be found in the plain areas. In many remote areas people are still traveling on foot carrying things on their shoulders.
In some places there are landline-telephones and very few mobile phones. Only at the diocesan centre there is internet and email access. But no parish has this means of communication.
Christianity is the major religion of Chins. 86 percent of Chins belong to the Protestant denominations. There are a few Buddhists, animists and Muslims.