by Weena Kowitwanij

The last four years of the Directive Pastoral Plan, which was launched in 2000, will be devoted to the Word of the Lord, Bishop George Yod Phimphisan announced. All Catholics are urged to follow the teachings of Jesus and renew their faith.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) – The last four years of the Directive Pastoral Plan of the Thai Church will be devoted to the Word of the Lord. Bishop George Yod Phimphisan, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT), will make an official announcement to that effect next Sunday. As the Good Book says: “Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks” (Mt, 4:4).

“On the basis of the decision taken by the CBCT in late March 2007,” Phimphisan said, “the period running from May 20, 2007— the Ascension of our Lord—to 2010 will be devoted to the Word of the Lord. All Catholics, be they priests, religious men and women or laity, are invited to put into practice the word of the Lord in their daily life, and by joining Jesus deeply and energetically renew their faith.”

Each of these remaining years will have its own specific meaning and mission. The years 2007 and 2008 will focus on the “Word in a Christian’s Life,” Christians will be invited to come close to Jesus through Gospel reading, prayers, studies, meditation and living by His teachings every day. The faithful will be invited to heed the Word of the Lord as individuals but also with their families, organisations and parish communities.

In the year 2009 the focus will shift to the “Word and the Sacraments in Christian Life.” Christians will be called to put the Word of the Lord in practice every day and receive the communion

Finally, 2010 will devoted to the “Word, the Sacraments and the Unity in Christian’s Love and Faith.” Every believer will be urged to live according to the teachings of the Gospel and the Church.

Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu launched the Directive Pastoral Plan on August 15, 2000, the Day of the Assumption; it is scheduled to end in 2010. Its goal is to enable the Thai Church to spread the teachings of Jesus and oppose materialism.

The CBCT set up a Pastoral Directive Plan Office and a Catholic Commission for the Bible to implement the “Years of the Word” by acting as networks for other Catholic organisations.

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