Thailand: Priests plan for pastoral creativity in mission amid Covid-19 pandemic

A diocese in Thailand on May 10 held a meeting of priests to plan for pastoral creativity amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

More than 70 priests from the diocese of Chanthaburi Diocese attended the “Pastoral creativity amid the Covid-19 pandemic and lessons for the post-pandemic Church” at Pastoral Center in Sriracha District, Chonburi Province, eastern Thailand.

Divine Word Father Anthony Le Duc, executive director of Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication, St. John's University, Thailand was the resource person.

His presentation focused on three things—presenting the concept of pastoral creativity in the context of the overall outlook of the Church, especially as taught by the last two popes Benedict XVI and Francis.

Father Le Duc also shared how the pandemic was a time that needed pastoral creativity in a particular way to deal with the challenges.

Secondly, he presented various examples of pastoral creativity displayed by pastoral agents—clergy and lay—from countries around the world.

“Finally, I presented some pastoral reflections and insights from the pandemic experience and made some suggestions going forward,” Father Le Duc told RVA News.

According to sources, priests have their monthly meeting and at each gathering, they gave presentations on different topics.

Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri of Chanthaburi also attended the meeting, besides the priests.

According to Vatican’s data (2020), the diocese has as many as 54,846 Catholics in 40 parishes, which are served by more than 100 priests.

On December 18, 1965, the Vicariate Apostolic of Chantaburi was elevated to the Diocese of Chantaburi.