By Our Own Correspondent

Bangkok, Thailand, 8 November 2016 -- During past two days (November 7-8) a vast majority of all 80 Salesians living and working in Thailand took part in three discernment meetings in the process of consultation for the next provincial in Bangkok (provincial house), Banpong (Sarasit school) and Hat Yai (Saenthong school) in the South.

Each consultation encounter took three hours and was followed by shared meal offered by the hosting community. The EAO regional councilor did moderate each discernment with the help of one local interpreter. As we are already accustomed since the GC24, the whole process has three stages - first about the state of the province, second about the necessary qualities of the new leader and the last one about the three candidates requested by the Salesian Regulations.

After a serious time of personal reflection followed a vibrant time of very honest and open sharing and listening to the variety of views, opinions and insights about the positive & strong points and challenges of the province as well searching for the urgent needs for the next 6 year period. Fr. Paul Prasert Somngam is the 15th provincial of THA province and his successor will be appointed after the final stage of the discernment in the Winter session of the General Council (December-January).

THA province stretching in three countries of Cambodia, Laos and Thailand will remember next year already 90 years of Salesian presence (1927-2017). With 94 professed members and 5 novices, 2 prenovices composed of 11 different nationalities and 50 aspirants in Hua Hin and Banpong has a bright future. Within a complex social, economic and youth situation the provincial community is looking forward to a wise leader who is able to lead the confreres towards deeper roots in the Spirit, more courageous commitment for the poor young people and reshaping of the mission in the vast territory of its three countries.

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