Conclusion of the Council: 'New paths to give witness to Christ in Thailand'

"The Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Thilandia, just concluded in Bangkok, was an important moment to remember the past, our roots, and to look towards the future: the Catholics seek new paths to incarnate the Gospel in the country and live it in society, economy, politics, in order to contribute to the common good of the nation": is what Fr. Peter Watchasin, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Thailand reports to Agenzia Fides.

The Bishops' Conference of Thailand has declared 2015 "Holy Year" to commemorate the 350 years since the first Synod of Ayutthaya (old capital of the country), held in 1664, which laid the foundation for the stable presence of the Church in Southeast Asia. The central moment of the jubilee year was the Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Thailand, held in April and May, centered on the theme "The disciples of Christ live the new evangelization".

The Director told Fides: "It was a second synod, after that of 350 years ago. It was a fruitful time of reflection, dialogue and discussion among all members of the Catholic community. 

We asked ourselves how to be disciples of Christ in Thailand today and what are the new paths to proclaim the Good News of Christ. Now we are waiting for the final document, which is being drafted. The first part describes the situation of the nation, in the second part the paths for the Church's pastoral action are indicated".

Currently the country is under a military government, but, remarks Fr. Watchasin, "the generals have promised new elections. Let us hope they keep their promise. Their intervention, they say, has served to restore order to pacify the country. But today people want to return to democracy, which we support, if this does not happen serious problems and conflicts could arise in the country", he concludes.

Source: news.va (June 3, 2015)