Prayers and a statue to recall John Paul II
The faithful and priests will remember John Paul II together. "The statue is a simple dedication to mark his apostolic visit to Thailand," said the Nuncio Salvatore Pennacchio.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) The Thai Church will mark the first anniversary of the death of John Paul II on 2 April with prayer meetings and events. And today, a statue will be inaugurated in memory of his apostolic visit to the country in 1984.
"The statue will be inaugurated in a simple ceremony," said Mgr Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, as well as Apostolic Delegate to Myanmar, Malaysia, Lao, and Brunei. "This is a dedication of the Catholic Church in Thailand to John Paul II in memory of his apostolic visit to Thailand during his two-day visit on 11, 12 May, 1984."
Fr Chatchawal Supalak is one of 23 Thai priests ordained on 11 May 1984 by the pope in Nakhon Pathom seminary. "It was incredible and unexpected to have the honour to be ordained by the Pope. I want to lead a worthy and meaningful priesthood to thank God for the great honour bestowed on me. I try to study, proclaim and put the Word of God into practice. I pray that John Paul II may soon become a saint."
Fr Anthony Vorayuth Kitbamrung, director of the Catholic Social Communication Centre of Thailand, said: "From time to time, Catholic weekly papers recall the pope's visit. For myself, I feel his greatest example was when he expressed forgiveness for Alhmed Ali Aga, who attempted to kill him on 13 May, 1981. John Paul II was a great pope of our times and a model. His 'All Yours' motto was an example of sincere faith and hope."
"I have learned much from the encyclical letters of John Paul II," added Niti Hasen, who represents Thailand's Muslim Centre. "For example, with regard to the major problem of the Mid-east conflict. Pope John Paul II was the embodiment of his clear stand that 'there can be no peace without justice'. I often refer to the Pope's message during my dialogue with Muslims in Thailand to share these ideas with them. Pope John Paul II was a great defender of peace based on justice in society, and I truly admire him."
Lamiet Kantanon, a housewife, said: "I was present during the Pope's consistory on 2 February, 1983, when Archbishop Michael Mechai Kitbunchu of Bangkok was appointed Cardinal. I was among the group that went to Rome and I had the chance to attend a small group audience with believers from various countries. It was my greatest joy. From that time on, I have had special admiration for him. Since his death, I remember him in my daily prayers. His 26-year pontificate was remarkable. To me the Pope is just an ordinary man with certain differences and uniqueness."
Doungjai Roengsomboon, a retired teacher, said: "My mother, my niece and me recite the rosary for the Pope every day, both during his pontificate and after his death. It was important for my mother to support him. She used to say the Pope worked hard, with the help of faith and the rosary."
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14/04/2005
