Apostolic Vicariate of Pakse explained

Jurisdiction:Apostolic Vicariate
Paksé
Latin:Vicariatus Apostolicus Paksensis
Local: ອັກຄະສາວົກແທຂອງເມືອງປາກເຊ
Country:Laos
Territory:Champasak, Attapeu, Salavan/Saravan, and Sekong/Xekong
Episcopal Conference:Episcopal Conference of Laos and Cambodia
Metropolitan:Immediately subject to the Holy See
Coordinates: 15.1173°N 105.8013°W
Area Km2:59,210
Population: 1,484,186
Population As Of:2020
Catholics:21,445[1]
Catholics Percent:1.44
Parishes:57
First Incumbent:Jean-Pierre Urkia, M.E.P.
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Sui Iuris Church:Latin Church
Rite:Roman Rite
Established:12 June 1967
Cathedral:Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pakse
Priests:8
Bishop:Andrew Souksavath Nouane Asa
Bishop Title:Apostolic Vicar
Emeritus Bishops:Cardinal Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, I.V.D.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Pakse (Latin: Vicariatus Apostolicus Paksensis) is a Latin rite missionary territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Laos. As an apostolic vicariate, it is a pre-diocesan jurisdiction, entitled to a titular bishop. It covers southern Laos.

It is exempt, i.e., not part of any ecclesiastical province but directly dependent on the Holy See and notably its missionary Dicastery for Evangelization.

Its cathedral episcopal see is Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, in Pakse.

History

The vicariate was established on 12 June 1967 as Apostolic Vicariate of Pakse / Paksé (French) / 巴色 (正體中文) / Paksen(sis) (Latin adjective), when it was split off from the Apostolic Vicariate of Savannakhet.

Statistics and extent

The vicariate covers the Laotian provinces of Champasak, Salavan, Xekong and Attapu, but most of the Catholics live in Champasak and Saravan.

Covering an area of 45,000 km² of southern Laos, the Vicariate is the smallest of the apostolic vicariates in Laos. As of 2016, only about 15,000 (1.3%) of approximately 1.3 million people living in the area are members of the Catholic Church, half of them belonging to ethnic minorities. It is subdivided into 46 parishes served by only 7 priests. There are also 19 sisters from the Soeurs de la Charite (Sisters of Charity) and the Filles Marie de la Croix (Daughters of Mary of the Cross). As per 2014 it has 7 priests (6 diocesan, 1 religious), 22 lay religious (10 brothers, 12 sisters) and 16 seminarians.

Ordinaries

Apostolic Vicars of Pakse

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The joy of the Church for the new Apostolic Vicar of Paksé . 6 September 2022 . . en . 24 October 2022.
  2. Web site: Pope appoints seminary professor as new bishop in Laos - UCA News .