ASIA/THAILAND - The Pope accepts the resignation of Bishop of Nakhon Ratchasima and appoints Successor

Thursday, 30 November 2006

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on 30 November 2006, accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand) presented by Bishop Joachim Phayao Mansap, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, can. 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed new Bishop of Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand) Rev. Joseph Chusak Sirisut, Professor at the national Major Seminary and director of the Centre for Cultural and Religious Research at Sampran.
Rev. Joseph Chusak Sirisut was born at Bang Nok Kwek diocese of Ratchaburi, 24 February 1956. He studied for the priesthood at Sampran Major Seminary. He obtained a B.A. in scholastic administration at Sukothaithammatirat State University; a Masters in Theology in the United States and more recently a Licentiate in Theology at S. Tomaso in Manila. He was ordained a priest on 11 May 1984 and has since ministered as follows: 1984-1985: headmaster Daruna school 1986: administrator and director of the Ratchaburi Institute; 1987-1994: parish priest and head of the parish school, first at Kanchanaburi and then at Ratchaburi; 1995-1996: assistant priest at S. Girolamo at Samutsongkram; 1997-2000: diocesan bursar and chancellor; 2000-2004: Licentiate in Theology at S. Tomaso in Manila. Since 2004 professor at Sampran major seminary and director of the Centre for Cultural and Religious Research at Sampran. For five years he was secretary of the Thai Bishops’ commission for inter-religious dialogue.
Nakhon Ratchasima diocese, created in 1965, is suffragan of the archdiocese of Thare and Nongseng. It has an area of 41.148 sq km, a population of 5.220.430 including 5.429 Catholics gathered in 28 parishes, assisted by 27 priests (20 diocesan and 7 religious), 3 Brothers and 32 women religious. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2006; Righe 22; Parole 293)


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