Newly installed Bangkok Archbishop Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovitvanit has called on all sectors of Thai society to work together to build up the country. “All religions, government officials and the private sector must work together to build peace,” the archbishop told more than 2,000 people at his installation ceremony on Aug. 16 at Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok, UCA News reports.
“We are ready to dialogue with all faiths,” Archbishop Kriengsak said, speaking on behalf of Thai Catholics.
Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu, his predecessor, and Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, apostolic nuncio to Thailand, were present for the installation.
Buddhist monks, Protestant pastors, Hindu priests, Muslim and Russian Orthodox Church representatives, government officials and many lay Catholics also attended the ceremony.
Pope Benedict on May 14 appointed Archbishop Kriengsak, 60, as Bangkok archbishop while accepting the resignation of Cardinal Michai, who turned 80 on Jan. 24.
During the Mass, Archbishop Kriengsak praised Cardinal Michai as “a leader who led the Thai Church to the Kingdom of God.”
He described the cardinal’s 36 years as Bangkok archbishop and leader of the Church in Thailand as a “springtime” for the local Church.
Cardinal Michai, in welcoming Archbishop Kriengsak, affirmed that the Catholic Church is always conscious of its responsibility to “serve the people and build peace in the country.”
Bishop George Yod Phimphisan of Udon Thani, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, also welcomed Archbishop Kriengsak and thanked Cardinal Michai.
He asked all Thai Catholics to pray for their bishops, “both old and new,” so that they persevere in working for God and the Church.
Archbishop Kriengsak had chosen as his episcopal motto, “Verbum Crucis Dei Virtus Est,” or “the language of the Cross is God’s power,” when he was ordained bishop for Nakhon Sawan diocese in 2007. Then he had said that the motto, taken from 1 Corinthians 1:18, reminds him “to respond to God’s love.”
Archbishop Kriengsak was born in Bangkok on June 27, 1949, and ordained a priest on July 11, 1976.
In 2003, he served as parish priest of Assumption Cathedral and secretary of the council of priests of Bangkok archdiocese until he was appointed bishop of Nakhon Sawan in 2007.
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