There is a small Catholic community in Laos, with no foreign personnel. It is a community that gives hope for the future.
In the four apostolic vicariates existing in the country (Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Savannakhet, Paksé), there are about 50,000 Catholics spread across a territory with diverse ethnic groups, languages, and cultures, among a population of about 7.5 million inhabitants with a Buddhist majority.
Most Catholics, especially the youngest, were baptised as children and require catechesis and formation to deepen their faith, but there is a shortage of priests and catechists: “And yet, the mission of the Church goes forward, and evangelisation progresses. Among the ethnic Khmu people, an animist group, many are eager to become Christians. And even among the Hmong, another ethnic group, there is a deep interest in the Christian faith,” explains Andrew Souksavath Nouane, apostolic vicar of Paksé since 2022.
“There are linguistic difficulties and obstacles related to government control. But the Catholic community in Laos continues its journey with joy,” added Jesuit Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzález, apostolic prefect of Battambang, Cambodia, and current president of CELAC, the Episcopal Conference uniting the bishops of Laos and Cambodia.
“In Laos”, Father Figaredo emphasised, “there are only local priests and religious because it is not permitted to have foreign missionaries permanently. Contacts with the outside world are difficult, and even the Churches of neighbouring countries can only offer limited and sporadic support. But the Laotian community is not discouraged.”
In this context, “the Church moves forward by the grace of God. The community’s life is vibrant, and the baptised are growing. How is this possible? I would say it is a small miracle. Nuns and catechists, all Laotians, contribute greatly to pastoral life, especially by visiting the villages where the baptised live,” he observes. “There are many young people, and vocations to the priesthood and religious life are flourishing, more so than in Cambodia,” notes Father Figaredo.
For example, in the minor and major seminaries, there are about 50 Laotian boys and young men (around 20 in the minor seminary, 10 in the preparatory year, 20 in the major seminary), offering hope for the future.
Fifty years ago, Laos decided to isolate itself from the rest of the world, convinced that this was necessary for better economic and social development. Laos remains one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, and only in recent years, with a gradual opening to the outside world – most notably by joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – has the economy begun to progress towards greater well-being and prosperity.
The same applies to the presence of the Church, which, even in dark times, has maintained faith in Christ. The community, a small minority (0.5% of the nation), has experienced the heroic efforts of missionaries and, in recent times (in 2016), has been able to witness the important celebration of the beatification of its first holy martyrs. Among the religious orders significantly contributing to the local Church are the missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).
More than one hundred French and Italian Oblates served as missionaries in Laos between 1935 and 1975, before being expelled when the communist Pathet Lao took power. Seven of them are blessed martyrs, while one religious remained to continue his mission of faith and charity in the small country: Jean Khamsé Vithavong, a Laotian native, and former apostolic vicar of Vientiane, who died on 8 December 2024.
In long, silent decades, Khamsé Vithavong and a few priests ensured the presence of the Eucharist in the land. “Considered foreigners in their own country, traitors to their homeland, Christians have resisted for a long time, paying with prison, persecution and even their lives, for their fidelity to the Gospel,” recalls today Father Pasquale Castrilli, an OMI missionary. Father Angelo Pelis, another Oblate missionary who, before 1975, was the director of the Seminary of Luang Prabang, continues:
“In Laos, the Catholic community, a fragile and defenceless minority, has been able to take the best from the difficulties of the past (the communist persecutions) and from the profound experience of faith – even in prison – of the pastors who recently went to heaven (the two vicars Khamsé Vithavong and Tito Banchong). The Catholic community is flourishing in faith and progressing step by step.” (Piergiorgio Pescali/MC) – (Photo: Catholic church in Paksè. P.P.)
