The (Roman Catholic) Diocese of Ratchaburi (Dioecesis Ratchaburensis, Thai: สังฆมณฑลราชบุรี) is located in western central Thailand. It is a suffragan diocese of the archdiocese of Bangkok.
The diocese covers an area of 31,362 km², covering four of the western provinces of Thailand - Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Kanchanaburi and Samut Songkhram. As of 2001, of the 2.2 million citizen 15,246 are member of the Catholic Church. It is divided into 17 parishes, having 71 priests altogether.
History
The diocese dates back to 1930, when the Mission "Sui Iuris" of Rajaburi was created, originally responsible for all the south and west of Thailand. It was run by the Salesian order. In 1934 it was elevated to Prefecture Apostolic , 1941 to Vicariate Apostolic. 1965 it became the Diocese of Bangnokhuek. In 1966 it was renamed to Diocese of Ratburi. 1969 the Diocese of Surat Thani was split off from the diocese, which continued to be run by Salesian, while Ratchaburi was since then under the responsibility of native priests.
Bishops
- John Bosco Panya Kritcharoen: appointed March 18 2005
- John Bosco Manat Chuabsamai: November 25 1985 - July 24 2003 (resigned)
- Joseph Ek Thabping : October 2 1975 - February 12 1985 (died)
- Robert Ratna Bamrungtrakul : June 26 1969 - April 28 1975 (became bishop of Chiang Mai)
- Pietro Luigi Carretto : April 12 1951 - June 26 1969 (became bishop of Surat Thani)
- Gaetano Pasotti : May 28 1934 - September 3 1950 (died)
Before 1965 the administrator of the prefecture or vicariate was a vicar or prefect, but had the bishop title of a titular church.
External links
Last updated: 05-31-2005 23:02:23
