Newsletter of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
Rome, Italy
March 25, 2006

Today, Father Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R. former vice provincial of the Vice province of Bangkok, was named Bishop of the diocese of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. He joins Bishop George Yot Phimphisan, C.Ss.R., Ordinary of Udon Thani in the Thai episcopacy. He succeeds Bishop Michael Bunluen Mansap who has reached the age of retirement.

Bishop-elect Chaiyara was born on January 30, 1945 in Chang Ming, Thailand in the Archdiocese of Thare and Nongseng. After studying in the Redemptorist minor seminary at Sirachai, Thailand, he did his philosophy studies at Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, Wisconisn, USA. Father Banchong made his Redemptorist profession on August 2, 1969. After theological studies at Mt. St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, New York, USA, he was ordained a priest on June 12, 1975.

In addition to serving as Vice provincial of Bangkok from 1993 to 2002, Father Banchong has also served as a parish priest and pastor in Nongkhai, Bangkok, Bannoi and Khonkaen. He was Director of the minor seminary from 1981-1987. He is currently serving as Director of the Social Service Center of our house in Pattaya and pastor of our church, St. Nicholas.

The diocese of Ubon Ratchathani began as a Vicariate Apostolic in 1953 and was elevated to a diocese on December 18, 1965. Father Chaiyara will become its fourth ordinary since its inception as a Vicariate. The diocese has approximately 26,000 Catholics out of a population of 8 million. The latest figures available from the Annuario Pontificio says that the prelature has 55 parishes, 42 priests, (32 diocesan and 10 religious), 12 religious men and 161 religious women working in the diocese.

The Redemptorist Congregation rejoices that Father Philip has been called to shepherd God´s beautiful people of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. Further coverage of this appointment will follow in our regular editions of SCALA.