Rajaburi [Ratchaburi], Apostolic Vicariate of

RAJABURI [RATCHABURI], APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - It is situated on the Gulf of Siam and consists of five civil provinces, of which, originally, three were detached from the apostolic vicariate of Bangkok and the other two from the diocese of Malacca (Burma).

The first missionaries of the Society of St. John Bosco arrived in Siam in 1947 and settled in various stations as collaborators of the Fathers of the Paris Foreign Missions. On June 30, 1930 the aforementioned five provinces were erected into a mission sui iuris under the name of R. This was elevated to an apostolic prefecture on May 28, 1934 and to an apostolic vicariate on Apr. 3, 1941, entrusted to the Salesians.

Over an area of 118,000 sq. km. the population is 2,549,739 inhabitants, for the most part Siamese, with a notable percentage of Chinese. According to the statistical data of 1950-51, there are 17,173 Catholics with 55 catechumens; 3,000 Protestants; 380,000 Muslims; 1,870,000 Buddhists; 289,033 animists. Thirty priests work there, of whom 3 are Siamese; 11 coadjutor brothers; 55 sisters. There are 3 forane vicariates; 12 primary stations and 8 secondary stations; 19 sacred buildings; 2 pharmacies; 2 orphanages; 13 elementary schools; 5 middle schools; one higher school; 19 catechists; 109 teachers. Various religious confraternities and associations of Catholic Action flourish there. New missionary stations are in the process of being organized and the work of evangelization gives promise of happy developments. The ordinary resides at Bang Nok Khuek.

Edoardo Pecoraro