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First priest ordained in 30 years

Brother Sophone was supposed to be ordained back in December, but the authorities stopped the ceremony at the last moment. On June 16, he will become the first priest ordained in the country since 1975 when the Communist government expelled all foreign missionaries.

Vientiane (AsiaNews) The first ordination of a priest in Laos in 30 years is scheduled to take place on June 16. The ordination of Br Sophone Vilavongsy, a 32-year-old Oblate missionary of Mary Immaculate, was supposed to take place on December 8 last year, but the government stopped it at the last moment, requiring the postponement of the historic ceremony to an unspecified date.

Local sources told AsiaNews that on June 16 "there won't be any great celebrations", but Brother Sophone will finally be the first Oblate priest in 30 years."

The same sources said they expect another four ordinations between now and the end of next year.

In December the authorities failed to give reasons for stopping the original ceremony, which they had previously authorised albeit on several conditions. It could not in fact take place in public and in the future priest's native village nor have many people attending.

People from as far as Australiawhere Brother Sophone studied, became a deacon and made his perpetual vowshad come to Vientiane for the cancelled ordination.

Since 1975 foreigners cannot work for international religious organisations in Laos. But there are religious training houses run by nuns, all young and Laotian, who belong to the Vietnam-based Congregation of the Lovers of the Cross and to the Sisters of Charity of St Joan Antida, a French congregation.

In Paksé there is also a major seminary, employing Laotian educators and teachers, which has been approved by the authorities but also strictly monitored.

Once a year and for an eight-day period, a single clergyman travels to Laos as a tourist to offer an intensive theology course.

The Oblates have a special link to Laos. Between 1935 and 1975 more than a hundred of them, mostly French and Italians, served as missionaries in the country until the Pathet Lao Communists took power.

A small but vibrant Catholic community has developed and some villages are entirely Catholic.

During the war, seven Oblates were killed, and after the Communist victory all the other were expelled.