Catholics in Laos welcome new priest

Fr Silaphet (second left) at his ordination Mass

LAOS - Catholics throughout Laos have welcomed their new priest, ordained for a northern long-time vicariate that has not had a priestly ordination in 30 years.

Father Pierre Buntha Silaphet was ordained a priest for Luang Prabang apostolic vicariate on 29 January by Bishop Louis Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun of Pakse at a service attended by some 1,000 people of Catholic and other denominations.

Church sources say Luang Prabang vicariate has not had a priestly ordination for more than 30 years.

Father Buntha, 34, is from Sayaboury village, northern Laos. The ethnic Khomu priest is the youngest of a family with seven siblings. His parents are farmers.

After finishing his philosophical and theological studies at St. John Vianney Major Semianary in Thakhek, he also studied English for one year in the Philippines.

There are about 43,000 Catholics in Laos, out of a total population of about 6 million, most of whom are Buddhists, according to a Church source in Laos. Less than15 priests and 100 nuns serve Catholics in the four Church jurisdictions. — Luang Prabang, Pakse, Savannakhet and Vientiane apostolic vicariates.