5595(I)_THA: New Christians

By THA SC

       Bangkok, Thailand, 9 April 2021 -- Even though most of the citizens of Thailand follow Buddhism [95%] and the Catholics are only 0.4%, yet every year, in the churches ministered to by the Salesians and in the institutions of the Salesian Family, there are always adults of other religions who freely register to study catechism and receive the Sacraments of Initiation on Holy Saturday - at the celebration of the Easter Vigil. On that day, the 3rd of April 2021, there was the reception of the Holy Sacraments for adults at our various institutions, like: 8 catechumenates from Mary Help of Christians - Bangkok, 12 catechumenates from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - Hatyai, Songkhla, 4 from St Mary's School - Udornthani [northeastern region; 3 house staff and 1 high school level student], 4 from the Salesian Sisters Community - Sampran [2 house staff, 1 visually impaired trainee, 1 child of the house staff].

       These catechumens study catechism and receive formation according to the 'Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA' from the members of the Salesian Family. Even though the number of conversions were not so many, yet this number is a sign of the fruitfulness of the work of evangelization through the churches and institutes which are fields to sow the Good News, Salesian style, in the Thai society.

       At present, the population of Thailand is 67,298,751. Out of this, there are 405,727 Catholics in 11 dioceses. Also, there are 498 churches, 576 priests, 128 lay-brothers, 1,434 religious Sisters [taken from the Statistics of Catholics in Thailand - 2021].

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