A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE
OF CHIANGMAI
By Father Surachai Chumsriphan
Bishop: Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana
Area: 48,013 km2
Population: 3,025,649
Catholics: 55,489 (1.8%)
Diocesan priests 41
Parishes: 34
*(From the Catholic Directory 2022/2565)
SACRED HEART OF JESUS CATHEDRAL
Since April 2018, the Diocese of Chiangmai covers 4 provinces in the north of Thailand: Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang and Mae Hong Son, after Chiang Rai has been created into another diocese.
History
In the 16th century Burma captured Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai was deserted for 20 years after Ayutthaya was demolished in the south. King Narai was the king of Ayutthaya from 1656 to 1688. The Siamese kingdom had diplomatic relations with the court of Louis XIV. French soldiers and missionaries influenced the Siamese aristocracy and military defense. The dominance of French officials led to frictions with the local mandarins. This turmoil resulted in the revolutions of 1688 and the invasion of the Burmese. King Narai allowed foreign powers to attempt to bring Chiang Mai under control. The Chiang Mai area had a separate ruling system and was ruled by wealthy families.
The most remarkable aspect of King Narai’s reign was the diplomatic missions that he sent and received during his reign. Missions were sent from France, England and the Vatican, although at least two missions were lost at sea. Diplomatic ties extended to Persia, India, China and neighboring countries. The last Siamese diplomatic mission visited Pope Innocent XI in 1688. Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pallegoixsent two MEP priests to Chiang Mai in 1844. At first, they were welcomed but later they were forced to abandon their mission when the local chief changed his attitude and they returned to Bangkok.
Bishop Pallegoix was highly esteemed by King Mongkut and they often discussed issues. The King even personally assisted at Pallegoix’s funeral. In 1878 King Mongkut’s edict granted freedom of missionary activity to northeast territories. The evangelization of the north was the dream of Bishop Vey (1875-1909). Catholic teachings on the dignity of human life spread to the nation’s hill tribes and local population. These teachings were met with opposition from the influential wealthy families.
These teachings were continued by Bishop Rene Perros (1909-1947). In 1913, he sent two French priests to Chiang Mai. Mission conditions were favorable and land was purchased. Evangelization continued until 1917, then with the chaos of World War 1 the priests returned to Bangkok. In 1921, the railroad connected Chiang Mai to Bangkok. In 1926, Bishop Perros resumed his dream to evangelize Chiang Mai and once more sent two priests-Father George Mirabel (MEP) and a native priest Father Nicolas Bunkerd Kitbamrung. Fr. Nicolas taught Thai and Chinese language to Fr. Mirabel.
In 1930
the two priests built a church, school and rectory. There were many conversions due to their Catechism instructions in the surrounding areas. Three schools were started: Regina Coeli College (Ursuline Sisters), Montfort College(Brothers of Saint Gabriel) and Sacred Heart of Jesus School (Sacred Heart Sisters). Conversions continued as evangelization spread to Maerim, Wiang Papao, Phan and Chiang Dao. Missions spread as evangelization spread. Again, the priests taught the people their God given human rights. No forced labor, labor must be paid, no debt bondage. Prior to this, wealthy families had enjoyed free forced labor. These values spread across the borders. The missions expanded from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Lampang, Nakhon Ratchasima and surrounding areas. Sacred Heart was the first Church to be built in north Thailand and was blessed on June 3rd 1932.
Anti-Catholicism (1940-1944) caused tremendous difficulties to work in the area. Martial Law was declared in 1940 by the Thai government in the north, northeast and eastern territories of the country. Catholic services were banned. All Catholics were suspected as being spies for the French government. The Thai Blood Party (a secret organization) stirred public opinion against Catholics. They ordered boycotting of Catholic businesses in Chiang Mai. Thai Catholics were considered foreigners and would be accepted as Thais once they returned to Buddhism. Catholics lost homes, jobs, education opportunities and were denied their national rights. Following the end of World War II, the Thai government reversed anti-Catholic indoctrination. This decision was to gain favor with the Vatican to impede post war British occupation.
In 1951, the Sacred Heart of Jesus-Betharram Order fled from China and relocated in Chiang Mai. They established mission centers, churches, and seminaries. Betharram is known for working with the hill tribes and poor. From this order, Bishop Lucien Lacoste (Betharram) founded the Missionary Sisters of Immaculate Conception (Maepon Sisters). The first group of sisters made their perpetual vows at Sacred Heart Cathedral in 2004.
In 1959, Bishop Lacoste was designated as the first bishop of the “Prefecture Apostolic of Chiang Mai” which was erected in 1959. In 1965, it was elevated to a Diocese. The principal church of the diocese is Sacred Heart Cathedral which was built in 1931. Shortly before the elevation to a Diocese, a new and larger church was inaugurated on February 28, 1965. The current church, already the third Cathedral building of the Diocese, was inaugurated on October 30,1999.
In year 2000
Sacred Heart Cathedral celebrated the beatification of Blessed Nicolas Bunkerd Kitbamrung. His relics are reserved in the Cathedral. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana as Bishop of Chiang Mai. He was ordained a Bishop on May 1, 2009 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Chiang Mai.
On 25th April 2018, Chiangrai Diocese was erected, after a request of splitting the Diocese of Chiang Mai into two for the advancement of the evangelization in this area, a long and careful consideration was done by the Dicastery of Evangelization of Peoples and was finally approved. The First Bishop appointed by Pope Francis for the Episcopal mission was Most Reverend Joseph Vuthilert Haelom. Its Cathedral is dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady. The four provinces which remained are Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai while the four others are now under the pastoral care of the new Diocese.
Bishop Francis Xavier Vira A. states, “Our Christians need a greater familiarity with the Word of God and understanding the sacraments and the liturgy. In the coming years, we need to work in improving these areas by working mostly with small Christian communities. On the social side, we work on how to approach families in need. This commitment on many fronts does a lot to give the Church deeper roots in the national reality.”
(Reference: A Brief History of ASEAN Catholic Dioceses, The Precious Gift of Faith, Chiang Mai Mission Office- pp.529-531, ISBN 978-616-374-832-4)