For Fr Adriano Pelosin, parish priest in Pathumthani, the Church shows concern for the most marginalised sectors of society. From housing renovation in the slums to a shelter for abandoned children, solidarity expresses itself in a number of projects launched by the faithful. Next Sunday, the ceremony of the election of catechumens will include eight Iranian Muslims.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) - Caring for the poorest and most marginalised sectors of society, support for and closeness to catechumens preparing for baptism at Easter, initiatives for peace and dialogue in a troubled period in the history of the nation are some of the projects with which Thai Catholics are living Lent. The latter began yesterday with Ash Wednesday services, with special focus on the social ministry in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Bishops' Conference, said Fr Adriano Pelosin who spoke with AsiaNews. Born in Loreggia, Padua (Italy), the priest from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) has spent 35 years in the Asian country.

As Thailand experiences political and institutional turmoil, with months of opposition protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, deemed a "puppet" in the hands of her brother Thaksin, "ordinary Thais have shown maturity never seen before," the missionary said, "openly talking and discussing issues, even on television talk shows, without resorting to violence." This element of peace and harmony, in the priest's view so characteristic of the local culture, is a "source of hope" and a sign "of great maturity."

Fr Pelosin has spent much of his mission in the slums of Bangkok, on the outskirts of the city, saving children from sexual violence, keeping them away from traffickers and organised crime. He has also provided them with an education and facilitated their social integration and employment.

The archbishop of Bangkok Mgr Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij entrusted him with the care of St Mark Parish in Pathumthani, north of the capital, starting in May.

At Lent, the Thai Catholic Church "has insisted on the concept of poverty and the poor", the priest said, inviting the faithful to "work for justice so that everyone may have what they need, share their wealth and promote greater equality among people." At the same time, the bishops have stressed the importance of reconciliation, calling on people "not to be influenced by charlatans" or fall for "prejudices".

In the recent past, divisions with the country's north and northeast have re-emerged, as old frictions re-asserted themselves. Thus, two months ago, the prelates issued a prayer for the faithful. "It is," he explained, "recited every day at conferences, meetings and assemblies, calling for national reconciliation and urging everyone to work for justice."

Yesterday, although a normal day of work, the faithful joined in the celebration of the Mass on Ash Wednesday. The church was packed, Fr Pelosin said. "I asked them [the worshippers] to renew their life by fasting, not only by giving up food, but also renouncing vices, abuse, and injustice."

Several parishioners are businesspeople, with their own companies. I asked them to treat their employees with respect".

Plans are underway to rebuild houses and flats in the Wat Sake slums as part of the many initiatives for Lent. "The faithful participate by donating food, rice, money, basic necessities, or devoting part of their time to renovate the buildings," the PIME missionary said.

For the first time, he added, we can see "real solidarity, a sincere closeness to the poor and their sufferings: orphaned children, abandoned senior citizens, young people recently released from prison looking for social redemption."

Thanks to contributions from the Archbishop of Bangkok, "we bought a house on the grounds of the Wat Sake Temple. Over the coming week, we are going to finish the renovation work, so that it will become a shelter for children from poor or disadvantaged families who will be able to spend their summer holidays here, taking part in events and activities" promoted by educators and volunteers from the parish.

The most significant upcoming event will be the special service next Sunday, the "ceremony of election of the catechumens" who are preparing for baptism on Easter Day. Among them, there are "eight Iranian nationals, Muslim converts to Christianity right here in Thailand, Fr Pelosin said.

They are experiencing their baptism "with joy", saying that they are ready to accept" martyrdom for the faith and are happy to have discovered the truth that is Jesus Christ."

In their path towards Catholicism, the PIME missionary noted, they met with "an Iranian called David, who is now studying theology and made himself ​​available to teach catechism."

In order to stay in touch on a daily and constant basis with the community, the eight young people moved into a house near the parish.

The group of catechumens to which they belong also includes "a Vietnamese woman political refugee, married to a Catholic man, a Cambodian man who fled from his country of origin, a paralysed man confined to a wheelchair and a Thai singer who, until recently, lived in Singapore. He quit his job to attend catechism classes . . . a troubled man who seems to have recovered a bit of his serenity."

In Thailand, the Catholic community is really small, only 0.1 per cent out of 66.7 million people, mostly Buddhists. A Muslim enclave exists in the south of the country. Yet, the Christians are full of vitality and spirit of initiative, especially in the social and educational sectors.

• thailand
• catholics
• lent
• catechumens