ASIA/LAOS - The Vicar of Paksè: "We hope the 17 Laotian martyrs can be celebrated all together"

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Paksè (Agenzia Fides) - "We are very happy for the recognition of martyrdom of Father Mario Borzaga, young missionary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and Paul, Laotian catechist. We look forward to the successful outcome even of the second cause of beatification, which is still open, regarding 15 other martyrs, including missionaries and lay Laotians": says in an interview with Fides, His Exc. Mgr. Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, Apostolic Vicar of Paksè in southern Laos, and head of the martyrs Office in the Bishops' Conference of Laos and Cambodia (CELAM).
The Vicar has just returned to Laos from Phnom Penh: the assembly of the Bishops' Conference, which was attended by four Laotian Bishops, was held in the Cambodian capital. During the meeting we heard the news about the decree of recognition of the Holy See of the martyrdom of Borzaga and Paul, which gave us "joy, satisfaction and hope", he remarks. "The experience of meeting is always fruitful, very valuable to us Bishops of Laos. We shared this good news for our Church.
We are growing in sharing and collaboration among Bishops", said the Vicar.
With regards to the martyrs he said: "We would like to celebrate them all together. All 17 belong to the Vicariate of Luang Prabang. We do not know how, where and when we will celebrate the Mass of beatification. Of course it will be an event of great Christian witness that will involve the whole Church in Laos. We hope in one celebration to be held in Laos: it would be very significant for the small flock of our Church".
The Bishop says that the local church continues its pastoral work, trusting in Providence and this recognition of martyrdom "is really a gift from God for the small Laotian Church", he remarks. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/05/2015)


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