The Revocation of License to Solemnize Christian Marriages

REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR
THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNION

Order No. (254/2026)

10th day after the full moon of Nayon, 1388 M.E.
(2026 June 9)

The Revocation of License to Solemnize Christian Marriages

1. The Supreme Court of the Union has revoked the license to solemnize Christian marriages of Rev. Dr. Zaw Taung (also known as Khaung Lwan), pastor of the Jerusalem Baptist Christian Church, residing at House No. K-16, Yinma Street, Padesa Myothit, Ward (10), Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Pyin Oo Lwin District, Mandalay Region. The Union Supreme Court issued his license on August 7, 2024, as Order No. 98/2024, under Sections 6 and 9 of the Christian Marriage Act. Section 6 of the Christian Marriage Act authorizes the issuance of licenses permitting the solemnization of marriages between Christians, as well as between a Christian and a person of another religion. Section 9 of the Christian Marriage Act authorizes the issuance of licenses permitting the solemnization of marriages between Myanmar-citizen Christians.

2. By examining the marriage document sent by Rev. Zaw Taung a.k.a. Khaung Lwan to the court, it was found that he had solemnized a marriage between a Myanmar Buddhist man and a Myanmar Buddhist woman, based on a certification by a pastor that each person was a Christian believer.  

3. It was further established that Rev. Dr. Zaw Taung (a.k.a. Khaung Lwan) had solemnized a marriage for a Buddhist woman who had not converted her religion to Christianity in accordance with the Law Relating to Religious Conversion, but who had instead been married on the basis of her declaration that she had converted to and professed Christianity.

4. This matter was submitted to the 5/2026 meeting of the Judges’ Assembly of the Supreme Court of the Union, held on 29 May 2026. It was decided that the license issued to Rev. Dr. Zaw Taung (a.k.a. Khaung Lwan) under Sections 6 and 9 should be revoked.

5. Accordingly, because Rev. Dr. Zaw Taung (a.k.a. Khaung Lwan), pastor of the Jerusalem Baptist Christian Church, residing at House No. K-16, Yinma Road, Padesa Myothit, Ward No. 10, Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Pyin Oo Lwin District, Mandalay Region, failed to comply with the provisions of law and the applicable rules and regulations in carrying out Christian marriages, his license to solemnize marriages under Sections 6 and 9 of the Christian Marriage Act is hereby revoked, effective from the date of issuance of this Order.

Tha Htay
Supreme Court of the Union
Republic of the Union of Myanmar