austraLasia #3482
A New Spring - LAOS
VIENTIANE: August 2, 2014 -- Is it new or is it not? A quick search on the word 'Laos' in the SDL austraLasia collection suggests not, with a total of 21 entries. #1045 on 22 February 2005 begins this way: "But I didn't know the Salesians were in Laos', you say. As of the 20th February 2005, the date of the first official visit of the Salesian Regional Fr V. Klement, the Thai Provincial Fr Depharat (also spelt Theparat), the Salesian in charge of 'Midt Sam Phan Service' near Vientiane, Fr Tito Pedron, along with the Rector of Udonthani, Fr Nophorn, it would be hard to deny that the Salesians are in Laos." So yes, the Salesians have been in Laos for 10 years, since 2004 in fact. Part of the wonder of this presence is that it was begun under the auspices of the THA Province (under which it remains) but run by a Thai Past Pupil of Don Bosco, Mr Sanya, from 2004 until 2012 when the first Salesians took up residence. There are now three Salesians in residence: Fr Tito Pedron, Fr Vincent Minh and Bro Carlo Bacalla. It is not yet a canonical community, which explains why it is hard to find in the latest 'Annuario'.
Where is Laos?
For Salesians from Thailand, the best way to get to Indochina's only landlocked country and its capital Vientiane (where the Salesians are) is to fly to Udonthani and take a car/bus across 'Friendship Bridge' to Vientiane. It is just 77 kms.
Laos is a single-party Socialist Republic, Communist in other words. The Church has thrived in such Republics (a thriving which also disguises much suffering and sacrifice, or, seen another way, is the fruit of much pain and sacrifice). Laos also has the dubious distinction of being the most bombed country, per capita, in the world! It was bombed incessantly for 9 years during the Vietnam-US war.
New Spring
So, talking about a new spring in Laos is apt. Laos and the Church in Laos are 'on the move', and the Salesians with them it seems. Member of ASEAN, the WTO, Laos has diplomatic relations with every country in our EAO Region except the Solomon Islands and Samoa. And where it doesn't have diplomatic bilateral relations, Laos has made an art form of the MoU or Memorandum of Understanding. Fascinatingly, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which has diplomatic relations with 104 nations including Embassy status in Palestine, has taken the MoU route for Laos (whereas in Cambodia it actually has diplomatic relations). The Salesian activity in Laos comes under MoU status, and part of the recent visit by the Provincial from Thailand and discussions with the Young Communist League concerned renewal of the MoU about to cease this year, and further development.
The Church has seen development from the small 'seeds' of 2 priests in Vientiane in 2004 to 8 in 2014. Across the country, in four Vicariates (as yet there is no diocese), there are now some 20 priests, a good number of religious, 45,000 Catholics. While not yet officially announced, the OMI Postulation following causes of Saints has indicated that May 2015 is an 'almost certain' date for the Beatification of 17 Laotian martyrs, a number of them local catechists, and OMI and MEP missionaries.
Moving ahead
With 3 SDBs, 3 FMAs running two Vocational Training Units with boarding facilities (the FMA one is about 3 kms from ours), and with young Laotian aspirants now in Thailand (for the Salesians) and Vietnam (for the Sisters), some 650 or more past pupils from over the decade, we can say that the Salesian presence in Laos is established.
Where to now?
From what was effectively a 'Pinardi shed' (for motorbike maintenance) in 2004, to a fully-fledged VTC in 2104, there are indications it will continue to expand. Connections have been established. The Young Communist League like the 'non-threatening and friendly' Salesian presence. The Bishop describes it as 'humble'. There are requests for another VTC and even a secondary school in northern and southern Laos. Vocation ministry is in embryonic form, but from small things, big things grow!
A New Spring - LAOS
Where is Laos?
For Salesians from Thailand, the best way to get to Indochina's only landlocked country and its capital Vientiane (where the Salesians are) is to fly to Udonthani and take a car/bus across 'Friendship Bridge' to Vientiane. It is just 77 kms.
Laos is a single-party Socialist Republic, Communist in other words. The Church has thrived in such Republics (a thriving which also disguises much suffering and sacrifice, or, seen another way, is the fruit of much pain and sacrifice). Laos also has the dubious distinction of being the most bombed country, per capita, in the world! It was bombed incessantly for 9 years during the Vietnam-US war.
New Spring
So, talking about a new spring in Laos is apt. Laos and the Church in Laos are 'on the move', and the Salesians with them it seems. Member of ASEAN, the WTO, Laos has diplomatic relations with every country in our EAO Region except the Solomon Islands and Samoa. And where it doesn't have diplomatic bilateral relations, Laos has made an art form of the MoU or Memorandum of Understanding. Fascinatingly, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which has diplomatic relations with 104 nations including Embassy status in Palestine, has taken the MoU route for Laos (whereas in Cambodia it actually has diplomatic relations). The Salesian activity in Laos comes under MoU status, and part of the recent visit by the Provincial from Thailand and discussions with the Young Communist League concerned renewal of the MoU about to cease this year, and further development.
The Church has seen development from the small 'seeds' of 2 priests in Vientiane in 2004 to 8 in 2014. Across the country, in four Vicariates (as yet there is no diocese), there are now some 20 priests, a good number of religious, 45,000 Catholics. While not yet officially announced, the OMI Postulation following causes of Saints has indicated that May 2015 is an 'almost certain' date for the Beatification of 17 Laotian martyrs, a number of them local catechists, and OMI and MEP missionaries.
Moving ahead
With 3 SDBs, 3 FMAs running two Vocational Training Units with boarding facilities (the FMA one is about 3 kms from ours), and with young Laotian aspirants now in Thailand (for the Salesians) and Vietnam (for the Sisters), some 650 or more past pupils from over the decade, we can say that the Salesian presence in Laos is established.
Where to now?
From what was effectively a 'Pinardi shed' (for motorbike maintenance) in 2004, to a fully-fledged VTC in 2104, there are indications it will continue to expand. Connections have been established. The Young Communist League like the 'non-threatening and friendly' Salesian presence. The Bishop describes it as 'humble'. There are requests for another VTC and even a secondary school in northern and southern Laos. Vocation ministry is in embryonic form, but from small things, big things grow!
