Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng

Infobox Diocese
country = Thailand
name = Thare and Nonseng
jurisdiction = Archdiocese
latin = Archidioecesis Tharensis et Nonsengensis
local = อัครสังฆมณฑลท่าแร่-หนองแสง
bishop = Louis Chamniern Santisukniram
auxiliary_bishops = | cathedral = St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral
Ban Tha Rae
rite = Latin
area = 25,477
population = 3.1 million
population_as_of = 2001
catholics = 49,489
catholics_percent = 1.6

The (Roman Catholic) Archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng ("Archidioecesis Tharensis et Nonsengensis", _th. อัครสังฆมณฑลท่าแร่-หนองแสง) is located in the north-east of Thailand. It is based in Tha Rae, a subdistrict municipality ("thesaban tambon") in the Mueang Sakon Nakhon district.

The diocese covers an area of 25,477 km², covering four provinces of Thailand - Kalasin, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon. As of 2001, of the 3.1 million citizen 49,489 are member of the Catholic Church. It is divided into 30 parishes, having 51 priests altogether. By December 31, 2006, the archdiocese had 51,275 Catholics, 1.61 percent of the territory's population. [ [http://www.ucanews.com/ Northeastern Archdiocese Celebrates Christmas With 'Star Procession',UCANews] ]

3 dioceses are suffragans of the archdiosese:
* Nakhon Ratchasima
* Ubon Ratchathani
* Udon Thani

History

The archdiocese dates back to the Vicariate Apostolic of Laos, which was established on May 4 1899, responsible for all of northeast Thailand and the modern-day Laos. The seat of the vicariate was at Ban Nonseng, Nakhon Phanom Province. In 1938 the northern part was split off and formed the Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane and Luang-Prabang. After the independence of Laos in 1949 the vicariate was split - on December 21 1950 the Laotian part became the Prefecture Apostolic of Thakhek, while the Thai part became the Vicariate Apostolic of Thare. In 1960 it was renamed to Vicariate Apostolic of Thare and Nonseng, and became elevated to a diocese on December 18 1965.

Cathedral

The St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral is located in Ban Tha Rae, Tha Rae subdistrict, Mueang Sakon Nakhon district, at the northern shore of the Nong Han Lake, coord|17|15|15|N|104|11|3|E|type:landmark_region:TH.

Bishops

Before Thare and Nonseng became a diocese, the administrator had the title vicar, but was also a titular bishop.
*Louis Chamniern Santisukniram: appointed July 1 2005
*Lawrence Khai Saen-Phon-On: March 6 1980 - May 14 2004
*Michel Kien Samophithak: 1959 - March 6 1980
*Bf. Michael On Prakhongchit, 1953-1959
*Claudius Philippe Bayet, M.E.P.: April 10 1947 - May 7 1953
*Henri-Albert Thomine, M.E.P.: July 29 1944 - March 21 1945
*Ange-Marie Joseph Gouin, M.E.P.: April 26 1922 - July 1 1943
*Constant-Jean Prodhomme, M.E.P.: June 2 1913 - August 20 1920
*Marie-Joseph Cuaz, M.E.P.: June 22 1899 - 1912

References

External links

* [http://www.genesis.in.th Homepage of the diocese]
* [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dthno.html catholic-hierarchy.org]
*CathEncy|wstitle=Laos