MY 35 YEARS OF MISSION IN THAILAND

A Priest amidst the Buddhists

 

I moved around the villages, mostly occupied by Buddhists. As an Asian, they welcomed me to their homes. They asked me to visit them because they believed that if a “holy man” (priest) enters their house, merits will be poured on them. They have a high regard for holy people, like Catholic priests.

 

My experience in building a church in Thailand had been easy because people helped. Certainly, the Catholics, rich and poor, were willing to help. Surprisingly, even the Buddhist neighbors and friends would too. This was due to their understanding that charity was merit-making and that the more you gave, the more merits you would have. They have this principle: “Do good and you will have a plentiful harvest”.

 

Following the Flock

 

In 1980, three Catholic families migrated to Thepsathit town. In Thailand, Catholics had been few in number. So, migrating families should be pursued, otherwise, they would be lost and embrace again the Buddhist ways. So, I had to transfer in order to take care of these three families which moved to Thepsathit. In 1982, the Chapel of the Ascension was built for them. Another village, Nongbuading, was also under my care. In 1990, the Holy Rosary Church was renamed to Mary, Mother of the Church.

 

Further development came in the 1990s. We moved to a strategic place called Nongbuakok, part of Chaiyapum province. Nongbuakok stands midway between Khorat and Thepsathit and is a stopover between the two places. I first bought a 20-acre of the property there and then built a rest house in this place, which I intended for priests’ stopover.  

 

Mary’s Help Center

 

In 1995, the Mary’s Help Center (San Marie Sungkhrae) was built in Nongbuakok. The Bishop liked the place and the Diocese bought the rest of the property. Thus, the center expanded to 67 acres. Most parts of it is used for farming. The center is a place of refuge for people ill with AIDS. The center also has a Sisters’ Convent (DC Sisters), Priests’ House, a Clinic, and a Sewing Room.

 

Now the focus is on the AIDS program. There are 250 families that we take care of, and all are Buddhists. They go to the center once every two months for health care and material assistance (monetary and in goods). We also offer scholarships to 180 children, from elementary to high school. They attend Catholic schools administered by the Diocese in Chaiyapum and Pakchong. The Thai government has a good program when it comes to hospitalization. All patients, regardless of sickness, will only pay THB30.00 (around PHP40.00) for hospitalization. When patients go to the center, they receive maintenance medications.

 

Ministering to these people can be challenging. I tried to teach them what we Catholics believe about creation, that man and woman are created in the image of God. The AIDS problem is caused by promiscuous relationships, so I tried to teach them about the evil of promiscuity. Marital infidelities and broken marriages are now a trend. Unfortunately, Catholics are now also following suit. But of course I need to be careful so as not to offend their Buddhist faith.

 

Conversions

 

Catholic celebrations are being looked at as social affairs. Thus, the whole community, including Buddhists, is invited. When they attend more often, there is a possibility of conversion. That is my observation on how Buddhists are converted and baptized. Joining often in Catholic celebrations leads them to express their desire to be baptized in the Catholic Church.

 

But pastors should keep an eye on these converts. Pastors should continually journey with them, otherwise, they would go back to their former faith, because the whole life in the village is centered on Buddhism. Thus, as a pastor, I need to follow them wherever they go. This is the reason for my transfer to Thepsathit. I followed the three families moving there. It paid off because the families, their children and grandchildren, have all been baptized in the Catholic faith.

 

Contact with them cannot only be once a week. I live with them as much as I can. This is the challenge I take nowadays. I am already old, and I minister to three parishes. I really try to manage my time with them. I make it a point to visit every week. Otherwise, if they no longer see their priest, that would signal the end of their Christianity.

 

Thailand is called the “Land of the Free.” It has never been colonized by foreign powers. Buddhism is also regarded as a “free religjon.”  It does not require adherents to go to their temple regularly, but espouses that every good act done can have merits. Now, this has an effect on Thai Catholics, especially the converts. As we know, Catholicism requires its believers to go to Church often for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. To present its value, in my catechesis, I do not tell them that the holy Mass is an obligation. Rather I explain to them that regular participation in Holy Mass is merit-making. I emphasize how the community benefits, as well as the spiritual benefits in the life to come if they love this sacrament. Likewise, Buddhism is characterized by meditation. This also has an effect on the piety of Thai Catholics. In contrast to Filipino piety, theirs is meditational, not devotional.

 

I appreciate Thai culture and society. People are simple; they don’t meddle in other people’s lives. Our ministry here has an advantage because they have a high regard for holy people, and that includes Catholic priests.