Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) – The Year of St. Paul will be intimately linked to the universal voice that comes forth from the Chair of Peter: with this spirit, the Catholic Church in Thailand is already living the Year of St. Paul, focusing on communion with the Holy Father and with the Universal Church. This was what Agenzia Fides was told by local Church sources, gathering from the program elaborated by the Thai Bishops’ Conference, which calls for initiatives on a national level as well as within each diocese, mainly focusing on the meaning of the Word of God and on the importance of the life of every Christian. In particular, the Letters of Saint Paul will be read, studied, and commented on, placing special emphasis on the Magisterium and catecheses that Benedict XVI has given the faithful during these three years of his pontificate.
The Year of St. Paul was inaugurated in Thailand on June 29, at the Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok, during a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Micahel Michai Kitbunchu, Archbishop of Bangkok, accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, other Thai Bishops, many priests, religious, and faithful. During the celebration, all present recalled and prayed for the third anniversary of Benedict XVI’s pontificate. In his homily, reflecting on the messages of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI about the life and mission of St. Paul, His Eminence exhorted the congregation to be inspired by and imitate the great Apostle who said with conviction; “I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come for me now is the crown of upright which the Lord will give to me on that Day…” (2 Tim 4:6).
The Bishops of Thailand have recently issued a document that explains the deep connection between the celebrations scheduled for the Year of St. Paul and important Vatican II documents such as “Lumen Gentium.” The message mentions the missionary responsibility of every member of the faithful, called to witness to the Gospel in their daily life, in every occasion and circumstance.
Before the end of the Mass, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio gave a thanksgiving speech expressing his gratitude to all the people for their faithful expressions of devotion towards the Holy Father and praying in one mind and heart with the congregation to God to grant divine graces to the Holy Father in his mission of proclaiming the Good News. After the concluding prayer, Archbishop George, president of CBCT (the Bishops’ Conference of Thailand) presented the Pauline Year Emblem to all the bishops of Thailand. The emblem will mark all the initiatives of the Bishops’ Conference, in the dioceses, parishes, associations, movements, and religious congregations. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/7/2008)
