Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangkok (Fides Service) - For Catholics in Thailand 2006 is the Year of Evangelisation. The country’s Catholic Bishops hope with this initiative to “increase mission awareness and foster a spirit of evangelisation”. Thailand is a mainly Buddhist country with a population of over 63 million, Islam 4%, Christianity 0.4%..
The Bishops say “Sunday Mass is important, but faith does not end there, indeed it starts”: “every Christian is called to be a missionary and has the mission to carry the light of Christ to others”. For this special year the Bishops’ Conference has issued material with 12 themes for reflection one for each month of the year and suggestions for initiatives at the local level. Parishes and church movements and associations are encouraged to organise faith sharing events and to invite non Christians. The dioceses will focus on inter-religious dialogue with Buddhists and Muslims and organise exchange of visits to Buddhist temples and Muslim mosques and Catholic churches.
National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Thailand Fr. Joseph Virasak Vanarotsuvit sees the Year of Evangelisation as a opportunity to help all Catholics realise that the faith is a gift to be shared with others and that faith in Christ fosters peace and harmony to society . (Agenzia Fides 17/01/2006 Righe: 24 Parole: 245)
