Thailand: six priests minister to thousands of refugees from Burma

Burmese villagers

Aid to the Church in Need is supporting six priests in their heroic struggle to minister to huge numbers of migrants and refugees in Thailand. According to Church figures there may be up to 2.5 million people from Burma (Myanmar) in Thailand, with more entering the country every day.

Thailand's Bishop Joseph Visitnondachai of Nakhon Sawan diocese, head of the country's Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees, explained how the Thai Church brought in priests from Burma to the work with immigrants because of a shortage of clergy.

However, while the Burmese priests could more easily communicate with the immigrants, the Church did not have the resources to provide basic essentials for the priests.

Bishop Visitnondachai said: "At first we didn't know how we would feed the priests - but Aid to the Church in Need said 'Don't worry, we will help you.'" The charity is providing Mass stipends for the priests, which enable them to purchase the basic essentials they need to live.

In addition to providing Mass stipends for the priests, Aid to the Church in Need is also currently supporting the pastoral care of migrants and refugees from Burma with £39,310 (€44,000) over a two-year period. This follows a grant of £62,880 (€70,377) for 2008-10.

Burmese priests have been caring for both refugees and migrants - refugees have fled armed conflict whereas migrants being those who have made the journey for social and economic reasons.

While Burma has fewer jobs available - and wages are low compared to every-day expenses - neighbouring Thailand needs a lot of manual workers. Both groups face significant restrictions, migrants are not freely allowed to travel from one area to another and must stay in the area where they are working, while refugees are not allowed to leave camps nor work. Those in the camps are dependant on supplies from relief agencies and NGOs.

The priests make weekly visits to the refugee camps to celebrate masses, hear confession, and celebrate other sacraments such as baptism, and the anointing of the sick.

Bishop Visitnondachai said: "The visit to the sick is very important, so this is the duty of the priests, but one priest cannot give service to all, which is why we are building up volunteers [from migrant communities]."

Establishing lay involvement has been key to building up and sustaining the Church among the Burmese. There are lay catechists and women's associations which assist the catechists, teach young children and regularly meet to pray together.

Bishop Visitnondachai concluded by thanking Aid to the Church in Need's benefactors. He said: "Your support for the Burmese people is important, though you are not physically there, it helps us do what we need to do and build up solidarity among Burmese migrants.

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