Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Monsignor Nicholas Mang Thang of Hakha diocese as coadjutor archbishop of Mandalay and Apostolic administrator of the diocese.

The monsignor was ordained as a priest on April 28, 1973, and later received episcopal ordination as the auxiliary bishop of Mandalay in 1989.

In 1992, Monsignor Thang became the first bishop of Hakha diocese. He was installed the following year.

Mandalay archdiocese has more than 23,000 Catholics in 30 parishes. Forty-two diocesan priest, 37 religious priests and 129 religious brothers and sisters serve the archdiocese, according to the Catholic directory of Myanmar.