Mgr Kriengsak kovitvanitij, archbishop of Bangkok and president of
the Episcopal Commission for the pastoral care of Christians, has
released a message for the 54th World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
In it, he says that all Catholics who are disciples of Christ are tasked with promoting vocations.
The archbishop notes that the General Assembly of the Thai Church
held in 2015 concluded that "Every Christian is a child of God and,
through baptism, becomes part of the Mystical Body of Our Lord and of
the Temple of the Holy Spirit".
Thus, "it follows that Christians should
enjoy a mature life and be witness of the unity in Christ for our
brothers and sisters."
Every Christian has the duty of promoting vocations, both secular and
religious. "For this reason, I invite every Catholic to pay special
attention to this aspect, at this time when the challenges of the Church
are bigger than never".
The family "is the first institution that shapes the vocation,
followed by the parish and by participation in the life of the Church.
Teachers and those involved in educating young people have to nurture
and support the care for vocations in freedom."
Similarly, "priests must be examples of disciples dedicated to a life
of joyful diligence, working in fraternity and with care for the little
ones."
Even the place of the bishop, Mgr Kovithavanij says, is important for
the encouragement of vocations. He "has to behave like a father and
assist those who are called to the priesthood in every way possible."
For the prelate, this particular form of vocation "is all the more
necessary given the conditions in society that undermine religious
education. Hence, I invite all Catholics to realise how important it is
to educate children in Christianity, to love God and ensure a future for
the Church and its pastoral work. "
At the end of the message, the archbishop entrusts certain tasks on
Church organisations: “Parish communities should pray for vocations and
bear living testimony to the faith [. . .]. Families should be ready to
sacrifice themselves to support vocations and respond adequately [. .
.]. Catechists and chaplains should encourage young people and educate
them in faith through prayers [. . .]. Seminarians, priests and bishops
should be ready to change pastoral methods so that they interest people
and are appropriate for their time."