Roman Catholic Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani

Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani Dioecesis Ubonratchathaniensis สังฆมณฑลอุบลราชธานี
Location
Country	Thailand
Metropolitan	Thare and Nonseng
Statistics
Area	53,917 km2 (20,817 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2006) 7.7 million 24,760 (0.3%)
Information
Rite	Latin
Cathedral	Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Ubon Ratchathani
Current leadership
Bishop	Philip Banchong Chaiyara
Map
Location of the Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani

The (Roman Catholic) Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani (Dioecesis Ubonratchathaniensis, Thai: สังฆมณฑลอุบลราชธานี) is located in the north-east of Thailand. It is a suffragan diocese of the archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng.

The diocese covers an area of 53,917 km², covering seven provinces of Thailand - Amnat Charoen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Sisaket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon. As of 2001, of the 7.7 million citizen 24,760 are member of the Catholic Church. It is divided into 55 parishes, having 42 priests altogether.

History

The Vicariate Apostolic of Ubon was created on May 7, 1953, when the Vicariate Apostolic of Thare was split. In 1965 the western part of the territory was split off and became the Vicariate Apostolic of Nakhon Ratchasima. On December 18, 1965 the Vicariate Apostolic was elevated to a diocese.

Cathedral

The cathedral of the diocese is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located in Ubon Ratchathani.15°13′38″N 104°51′2″E / 15.22722°N 104.85056°E / 15.22722; 104.85056

Bishops

• Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R: appointed March 25, 2006
• Michael Bunluen Mansap: May 21 1976 - March 25, 2006 (retired)
• Claude Germain Berthold, M.E.P.: April 9 1970 - May 24 1976 (resigned)
• Claudius Philippe Bayet, M.E.P.: May 7 1953 - August 13 1969 (resigned)

External links

• Website of diocese
• catholic-hierarchy.org