BANGKOK (UCAN): Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana was installed as the new archbishop of Bangkok, Thailand, on March 2, at the Cathedral of the Assumption.
Pope Francis named the 69-year-old as archbishop of Bangkok on January 11, previously he was bishop of Chiang Mai for 15 years.
Archbishop Arpondratana’s predecessor, Michael Michai Cardinal Kitbunchu and Francis Xavier Kriengsak Cardinal Kovithavanij were present, were present at the ceremony.
The new archbishop of Bangkok urged Catholics to “walk together” and seize the opportunity of the Jubilee Year 2025 for a genuine “spiritual renewal” in the archdiocese of some 115,000 Catholics.
Archbishop Arpondratana was ordained a priest 44 years ago in Bangkok, and the new appointment is like a homecoming, Archbishop Peter Brian Wells, the apostolic nuncio to Thailand and Cambodia, observed in his welcome message.
Archbishop Wells said that Archbishop Arpondratana’s experiences in Chiang Mai “prepared you well for the responsibilities to come.” He urged the new archbishop to imitate the missionary zeal of his namesake, St. Francis Xavier.
Archbishop Arpondratana acknowledged the long history of the Archdiocese of Bangkok and the privilege of continuing the mission of the local Church as he addressed the gathering.
I know I’m not the best, but I’ll do my best to help the Archdiocese of Bangkok become a true community of Christ’s disciples, proclaiming the New Evangelisation
Archbishop Arpondratana
Reflecting on the past 15 years, he thanked the faithful in Chiang Mai for supporting him despite hardships such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the massive floods that hit the region.
“I accept this appointment with confidence in God’s mercy,” he added, thanking Cardinals Kitbunchu and Kovithavanij.
In particular, he lauded Cardinal Kovithavanij’s initiative to launch twelve mission stations and pledged to continue it in collaboration with the Thai Mission Society.
“I know I’m not the best, but I’ll do my best to help the Archdiocese of Bangkok become a true community of Christ’s disciples, proclaiming the New Evangelisation,” he continued.
He encouraged the Catholics to seize the opportunity offered by Jubilee Year 2025 and its theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” to experience a genuine spiritual renewal.
“In the past, a bishop guided his flock with a shepherd’s staff, but today, Pope Francis calls us to walk together, listening to one another with all our hearts,” he said, referring to the theme of synodality in the Church.
He said, guided by the Church’s teachings, “We can move forward together in faith, through joys and trials, to bring the joyful proclamation of the gospel to all.”
This is a translated and edited version of the article that first appeared in AdExtra on March 4,
and is republished by UCAN with permission.
