austraLasia #2413

Cardinal Zen meets Thai Salesian Family in Bangkok on St Mary Mazzarello's Feast Day

BANGKOK: 14th May 2009 -- A solid group of some 200 members of the Salesian Family were with Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun sdb in Bangkok on 13th May. The Cardinal had come to Thailand as the Special Envoy of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the 25th anniversary of the visit to Thailand by Servant of God Pope John Paul II.  Cardinal Zen arrived in Thailand on 9th May.
    As part of his Special Envoy role, Cardinal Zen had already met with Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu and Bishop George Phimphisan, the latter being the President of the Thai Bishops Conference.  The same evening he presided at a Solemn Mass and unveiling of the statues of St Peter and Servant of God John Paul II at Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok.
    On 13th May the Cardinal came to the Provincial House where he gave a conference to 200 plus members of the Salesian Family including SDB, FMA, SIHM, DQM, ASC, VDB, ADMA and Past Pupils. The Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, and Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil sdb, from Surathani Diocese, were also present.
    The Provincial of THA, Fr John Bosco Thepharat Pitisant welcomed the Cardinal noting the warm relationships that exist between his province and confreres in China Province (many confreres from Thailand in the past had studied in Hong Kong). The Cardinal, for his part, spoke in particular of recent Popes, referring in particular to John Paul II who 'loved all mankind', visited many countries and helped 'make the Church in Thailand the active Church it is now'.  He concluded by saying 'Let us thank God for the Pope. We, sons of Don Bosco have to love the Pope'.
    Of course the Cardinal also spoke of the Church in China, explaining that now, after his retirement, he will help the Pope even more to understand the situation, and will advise the Holy Father. He also intends to return to teaching seminarians in the main land. During question time, amongst questions asked was one about the longest-living Salesian missionary in China, Fr Nicosia, currently in Macao. The Cardinal spoke warmly of this great man's life and work.
    The event concluded in typical Salesian style with a meal, music and song.

  _________________
 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there.  Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org

Title: australasia 2413
Subject and key words:  EAO Provinces THA Visit from Cardinal Zen
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2413