According to Thailand's Ministry of Culture, this decision demonstrates the will to support religious differences in Thailand: "Promoting and promoting religions in Thailand", contributing to providing answers to issues. of modern society”. To date, there are 60 recognized Catholic churches in the country.
Among the three churches just mentioned, the church of St. Thomas the Apostle in Bangkok, and the church of St. Monica in the South province, and finally, the church of St. Joseph Lao in the province of Phrae.
Since Christianity was introduced into Thailand, until 1929, the government of the Kingdom of Thailand only recognized 57 churches. After 93 years of waiting, three more Catholic churches have been recognized by the government, along with six Buddhist temples.
Thailand's Culture Minister, Itthiphol Khunpluem, stressed that the measure is aimed at encouraging Thais "to have places to practice religious activities and to receive an education and promotion of moral principles." sound doctrine, based on religious principles”.
According to statistics, as of 2019, there are 388,000 Catholics in Thailand out of a total population of 69 million. The Church has two archdioceses, nine dioceses and 502 parishes.
A law enacted last year, 2021, in Thailand allows the General Department of Religious Affairs, under the Ministry of Culture, to recognize places of worship. The decree stipulates that a new parish can only be established, if there is a resident priest and a minimum of 200 parishioners, who can sustain the parish. In special circumstances, a diocese may request that these standards be changed or adapted, for example when there are no resident priests and insufficient numbers of parishioners.
The law also provides that a list of parishes is established and published annually by the Directorate General of Religious Affairs and, after two years of operation, can apply for official recognition.
The Thai Bishops' Conference's social media committee welcomed the new decree and said the government's recognition meets today's needs and provides more certainty and assurance about the future for the Catholic Church. Catholic Association in Thailand.
(Missions Etrangères Paris, Eglises d'Asie August 28, 2022)