Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Paksé (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic community of the Apostolic Vicariate of Paksé, in Laos, had the joy of celebration the first local priestly ordination in 50 years. On 30 December 2006 Fr Andrew Souksavath Nouane Asa was ordained a priest by the Vicar Apostolic Bishop Louis Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun in the parish church dedicated to Saint Joseph in the village of Khampeng, Champasak province. The ordination was one of many signs of hope in recent years.
Present for the occasion four Bishops of Laos, two bishops from Thailand, about 25 priests from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand and more than 1,500 Laotian Catholics from various parts of the country. Holy See Apostolic Delegate for Laos, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, was represented by Nunciature secretary, Mgr John Kallarackal who read a message in which the Archbishop urged the new priest to strive to live an ever deeper spiritual life and put himself entirely at the service of the small Catholic community in Laos. Civil authorities and leaders of other religious communities were present for the Ordination.
With Father Andrew, Paksé now has four priests. In the same month of December, on the 9th the Vicariate of Thakhek also had the joy of ordaining two new priests Fr Pierre Wilaiphorn Phonasa and Fr Luke Sukpaphorn Duangchansai. Earlier in the year on 18 June 2006 the Vicariate of Vientiane celebrated the ordination of Fr Somphone Vilavongsy, a member of the Congregation of the Oblates Missionaries of Mary Immaculate OMI.
The small community of 42,000 Laotian Catholics lives among a mainly Buddhist population of 5.4 million. (PA)(Agenzia Fides 17/1/2007 righe 26 parole 260)
