Laos: New Cardinal Imprisoned by the Communists for Three Years

Cardinal Ling had proclaimed the Gospel without permission from the government. The three years in prison were necessary for his conversion and purification, he says retrospectively - with VIDEO Pakse

(kath.net/CWN/jg) Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, apostolic vicar of Pakse (Laos) and one of the cardinals who were created on 28 June, spent three years in prison during his communist regime.

His "offense" was to proclaim the gospel in villages and prisons without permission from the government. In 1984 the then 40-year-old was arrested and accused of "propaganda for Jesus".

He was in prison three years with chains on my arms and legs, he recalls. The time was essential for his inner formation. It was necessary for the "conversion and purification" of his person and also for others, he says retrospectively.

Rome Reports - Cardinal Ling from Laos spent three years in communist prisons: "For me it was like another novitiate" (English) Photo: Symbolbild

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Communists in Laos Arrest Christians at Christmas Celebration

(Vientiane) On the 16th of December 8 leading personalities of the Christian community were imprisoned. They are accused of having "organized" religious services in which more than 200 Christians participated. Human rights organizations are noting the uncertain fate of eight Christians, who must bring in Christmas in Laotian prisons.

High ranking police officials have convened in the municipality of Boukham in the Province of Savannakhet, in order to await the decision of local authorities as to how they will proceed. The human rights organization, Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF)report that the imprisoned Christians had received permission from the mayor to continue with the Christmas celebration. During the service the police stormed the building and arrested those responsible. For of them were blind folded at arrest and led away in hand cuffs. Since then they found themselves in jail. An arrest warrant with the precise information what the charges are is not available. A speaker for the HRWLRF explained that it is "from the the connection in any case, obvious", that they were arrested, "because they had gathered at a religious celebration."

On December 18th some representatives of the Evangelical Church in Laos succeeded in reaching the jail where some of the prisoners were held. Kingsamorsorn was released with bail of 1 Million Kip. In order to compare, the average wage of the of a worker in Laos is 300,000 Kips (or 40 Dollars).

The result of the meeting between police officials and local authorities is currently unknown. As the prisoners were led away, they were put in handcuffs.

Laos is ruled by a Communist regime. Two thirds of the population is Buddhist, around 0.7 percent of the six million inhabitants are Catholics. The Christians of the country are increasingly persecuted and have their religious freedoms curtailed. In February 2011 65 farmers had their sustenance revoked. They were being persuaded through hunger to reject Christianity.

Link to related story, here

Translated from katholisches, original here.

Laotian Vocations Growing Slowly

BANGKOK (UCAN) -- Laotian seminarians face formidable challenges, but their enthusiasm and perseverance in their priestly studies helps them overcome obstacles, says their formator.

One major challenge is seminarians' "low level of education compared with those from other countries," said Thai Redemptorist Father Anthony Wiboon Limphanawooth. He is in charge of nine young men, aged 19-23, at St. Teresa Middle Seminary in Thakhek, central Laos.

Most of the students in their first year "can't read the Lao language fluently," he said.

Furthermore, all the seminarians come from farming families and are not used to following an academic routine. "They have to train themselves to follow the seminary timetable," said the priest.

Despite the challenges they face, the seminarians "are very enthusiastic about studying," said Father Wiboon. "They are slow but they give you 100 percent."

St. Teresa Middle Seminary is one of two intermediate seminaries in the country. The other is in Pakse, southern Laos.

Father Wiboon, 41, said that as there are no minor seminaries in the country, local nuns and catechists recommend high-school students who are active in church to be personally taught catechism and prayers by priests.

When these boys finish high school, they enter an intermediate seminary where they study the Bible, spirituality, catechism and English. They then proceed to St. John Vianney Major Seminary, the only major seminary in the country, also in Thakhek, for philosophy and theology studies.

Apart from teaching at St. Teresa's, Father Wiboon also instructs 18 other young men, the oldest of whom are in their late 20s, at the major seminary.

The seminarians' perseverance is manifested in the low drop-out rate. At St Teresa's, only two dropped out last year, and in the major seminary no one has left in the past year.

Father Wiboon says vocations are promoted "quietly" in Laos and the numbers are slowly increasing. Last year, he received three new seminarians at St. Teresa's. Of the nine in his care, five are with the Redemptorist congregation.

According to Father Wiboon, the country has fewer than 20 priests. Several are studying overseas.

The next priestly ordination is expected only in about two years' time, he said. "In Laos everything is done slowly."

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