Bangkok, Apostolic Vicariate of

BANGKOK, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - The mission was erected as an independent unit in 1662 and then extended to the territory of Singapore (1827) and in part to Malacca (1840). In 1841 it was divided into the two apostolic vicariates of the West and the East, assigning to the former the said peninsula with various territories and adjacent islands, except for the Dutch possessions, and to the latter the kingdom of Siam, with the adjacent territories and islands. After successive detachments of territories and adjustments of boundaries with Laos and Burma, it was restricted to the kingdom of Siam alone. In 1930, with part of its territory, the apostolic vicariate of Rajaburi (v.) was founded, and in 1946 the first mission entrusted to the native clergy, Chantaburi (v.), was created. For the earlier evangelization v. SIAM.

The vicariate was always directed by the Fathers of the Paris Foreign Missions. It has an area of about 240,000 sq km.

with a population of about 9,150,000 inhabitants, in the vast majority Buddhists. The apostolate there is slow, because of the scarcity of personnel, the difficulties inherent in the environment, and the competition of the American Protestants, especially in the field of schooling. To all this was added, toward the end of 1940, a fierce persecution, with the closing of all Catholic schools and the sentencing of some native priests to various years in prison. The situation has now improved. In 1948 the Catholics of the vicariate numbered 28,783, with 23 missionaries and 34 native priests. The Brothers of St. Gabriel were 27 and the nuns, belonging to four different Congregations, 250. There is also a minor seminary with four students, and the publication of the monthly review Sarasat is being resumed.

Giovanni B. Tragella