Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vientiane (Agenzia Fides) - For the first time in over 30 years, an Oblate has been ordained to the priesthood in Laos.
The details of the Ordination are on the www.omiworld.org, web site run by the OMI office for communications: Somphone VILAVONGSY was ordained at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Vientiane, Laos, on June 18. More than a thousand people joined the celebration of the first Oblate ordination in Laos in 30 years. Ordaining the 32 year-old Laotian priest was Bishop Jean Khamsé Vithavong, Vicar Apostolic of Vientiane and the last Oblate to be ordained in Laos (January 1975). Also present were the Apostolic Nuncio from Thailand and the other Catholic bishops of Laos. The Oblates have a long and close friendship with this Asian country. More than a hundred Oblates, mostly French and Italian, served there between 1935 and 1975.
The newly ordained priest was born in Laos in 1973. In 1988, Somphone moved into the residence of the Apostolic Vicar in Vientiane where he completed his secondary education in 1992. He then helped Bishop Khamsé in various ways for several years before asking about studying to be a priest. After another six years helping the bishop and learning English, Somphone came to Australia to study with the Oblates at St Mary's Seminary in Melbourne. Father Somphone completed his Oblate formation and made his perpetual vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate in Australia in 2005.. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/9/2006 righe 25 parole 251)
