Thai Church celebrates its jubilee: 350 years of life and witness

by Weena Kowitwanij

In 2015, the local Church celebrates 350 years since the Synod of Ayuthaya and 50 years since Bangkok went from "apostolic vicariate" to "diocese". For members of the clergy and the laity, the year will provide an opportunity to strengthen the faith and boost ties in the community. Catholics and Buddhists attended the opening ceremony.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) - For the Thai Catholic Church, 2015 is a Jubilee Year, marking two crucial events in the history of the local community: the 350^th anniversary of the Synod of Ayuthaya, when French missionaries laid the foundations of modern Thai Catholic Church in what was then called the then Kingdom of Siam; and the 50^th anniversary since Pope Paul VI elevated the "Apostolic Vicariate of Siam" to the status of "Diocese of Bangkok" on 18 December 1965.

The Jubilee Year opened on 6 December with a solemn Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Bangkok Kriengsak Kovitvanit, who recently became cardinal. Mgr Paul Tschang In-Nam, apostolic nuncio to Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, along with dozens of bishops and priests took part in the ceremony, which was held at the Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre, Samphran District, Nakhon Prathom Province.

For the leaders of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand (CBCT), this year will provide an opportunity for priests, men and women religious, as well as the laity to strengthen their faith and boost ties within the community.

The bishops suggest three steps to live the Jubilee of the local church to the fullest: focus on the present moment, listening to the word of God and promoting mutual love, and leading a life in accordance with the dictates of the disciples of Jesus.

In their pastoral plan for 2010-2015, the bishops stress the concepts of "unity" of the people of God, in the common task of promoting "love" as well as "following and proclaiming the word of Jesus Christ."

The prelates also call for greater "participation of Catholics in community" life, starting with the strengthening of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC), as a "living sign" in every parish of a "culture of love" and as "a tool of evangelisation."

The Jubilee Year can thus become an "opportunity" to "purify the mind" and "practice" the teachings of Jesus in everyday life.

Under the theme "Followers of Jesus, a life for the proclamation of the Good News," a new Synod of Ayutthaya is set to take place next April - 350 years after the meeting that laid down the foundation for the Church in Thailand.

Catholics and Buddhists attended the Holy Year's opening ceremony last December, praying and doing things together to promote interfaith dialogue.

As part of that day's activities, a group of young people sang and prayed, following the Taizé model, and reiterated God's love for all.

Interviewed by AsiaNews, Korakot Busabong, a 20-year-old Buddhist who attended the event, stressed that "it is the first time I participate in a Mass, and I feel thrilled and excited. For her, it was "a wonderful experience ".

Pattawalin Sitthichotepatcharaku, an 18-year-old Catholic, agrees. Noting Thailand's recent social and political difficulties, he said that it is time for "forgiveness", "correction" and "reconciliation".

Thailand, a predominantly Buddhist country, has few Catholics, only 0.1 per cent out of a population of 66.7 million people. Nevertheless, they are full of vitality and spirit of initiative, especially in the social and educational fields.