“Reinventing” our Franciscan presence in Thailand

The OFM presence in Thailand started around 38 years ago when in 1985 the Foundation of Our Lady of Angels in Bangkok was established, ensuing noteworthy contributions to the pastoral, spiritual, and health care of the diocese. In the following years the work of the Foundation was evaluated; the General Administration, on the recommendation of the Commission in charge, decided to close our presence in Bangkok in 2021 and possibly open a new Guardianate in the north of Thailand.

The Province of San Antonio de Padua, Philippines (PSAPP) in its 2021 Chapter, accepted the invitation to restart in northern Thailand. The Minister General strongly exhorted them to live faithfully our charism, as lesser brothers, living simply in fraternity among and in dialogue with the poor and peoples of other religions, while responding to the needs of the diocese.

Hence, the Delegate of the Minister General to Thailand, Br. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM along with the two future missionary friars from PSAPP,  went last August 20-30, 2023 to visit Dioceses of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Ubon Ratchathani in northern Thailand. After seeing the place and personally talking to the respective bishops, the team submitted an actual evaluation report and their discernment of this visit. During the September 13, 2023, Tempo Forte meeting, it was decided to restart our presence in the Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani in the northeast of Thailand along the borders of Cambodia, near Laos. The Most Rev. Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara, CSsR, DD sent a formal letter of invitation to Br. Renee Dean, OFM Minister Provincial PSAPP, particularly asking the friars to minister the villages of Nong Din Dam and Charon Chai, Nong Sabeng belonging to the district of Nam Khun and St. Francis of Assisi in the district of Nam Yuen. Particularly, the friars are to engage in the formation of Basic Human Communities between Catholics and Buddhists (Dialogue program) and the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities which are the present thrusts of the diocese. Entrusted also are the spiritual animation of the Franciscan (SFIC) Sisters, the Franciscan Secular Order, and Filipino migrant workers, among others.

From November 6 until November 11, 2023, Br Dennis T. Tayo as the General Animator for Missions, went to Ubon Ratchathani along with Br Renee C. Dean (Provincial, PSAPP), Br Errol Ortiz (PSAPP Secretary), and two incoming missionaries, Bros Christopher Villanueva and Crisologo Dragon. The friars went to start the needed preparations for this new mission.  On the eventful day of November 11, 2023, the friars met the Most Rev. Bishop Philip and members of his Pastoral Council to draw and eventually entered into a Contract of Agreement, laying down the terms of this collaboration. The friars thereafter visited all the mission stations and did the other immediate preparations, including concerns for the visas and language studies of both missionaries as well as the transfer of some useful materials from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani. We look forward to re-starting our mission in Thailand, as we aspire to “reinvent” our “new” presence.