New Diocese

[JAG]

It may be of interest to some: the Roman Catholic Church has created a new diocese based on Chiang Rai and including a couple of neighbouring provinces. The new Bishop, to be consecrated on Saturday, is called Joseph. The existing Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, at the entrance to Santi Vithaya School, becomes a very small ( bijou?) Cathedral.

 

At the risk of being accused of name dropping, the new Bishop seems a very pleasant chap, and speaks good English.

[kevvy]

The Vatican has appointed Father Joseph Wutthilert Haelom as the first bishop of Chiang Rai Diocese, allowing the Catholic church to offer improved pastoral care to some 16,000 Catholics living in remote areas.

The new diocese has been created in northern Thailand to better meet the pastoral needs of ethnic minority groups living in remote mountainous and rural areas.

Pope Francis appointed Father Joseph Wutthilert Haelom, vicar general of Bangkok Archdiocese, to oversee the newly created Chiang Rai Diocese.

The new diocese has been separated from Chiang Mai Diocese, which served more than 60,000 lay people.

[JAG]

I reckon half of the 16000 were there. It's a big hall, and it was full, with as many again outside watching on big screens.