Roman Catholic Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani (Dioecesis Ubonratchathaniensis, Thai: สังฆมณฑลอุบลราชธานี) is located in north-east Thailand. It is a suffragan diocese of the archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng.
Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani Dioecesis Ubonratchathaniensis สังฆมณฑลอุบลราชธานี | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Ecclesiastical province | Thare and Nonseng |
| Metropolitan | Thare and Nonseng |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 53,917 km2 (20,817 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics | (as of 2010) 7,785,113 26,242 (0.3%) |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Sui iuris church | Latin Church |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Cathedral | Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Ubon Ratchathani |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Bishop | Philip Banchong Chaiyara |
| Metropolitan Archbishop | Louis Chamniern Santisukniram |
| Map | |
 Location of the Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani | |
The diocese covers an area of 53,917 square kilometres (20,817 sq mi), covering seven provinces of Thailand - Amnat Charoen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Sisaket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon. In 2001, of the 7.7 million citizens, 24,760 were members of the Catholic Church. It is divided into 55 parishes, with 42 priests altogether.
History
The Vicariate Apostolic of Ubon was created on May 7, 1953, when the Vicariate Apostolic of Thare was split. In 1965, the western part of the territory was separated and became the Vicariate Apostolic of Nakhon Ratchasima. On December 18, 1965, the Vicariate Apostolic was elevated to a diocese.
Cathedral
The cathedral of the diocese is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located in Ubon Ratchathani.15°13′38″N 104°51′2″E
Bishops
- Claudius Philippe Bayet, M.E.P.: May 7, 1953 - August 13, 1969 (resigned)
- Claude Germain Berthold, M.E.P.: April 9, 1970 - May 24, 1976 (resigned)
- Michael Bunluen Mansap: May 21, 1976 - March 25, 2006 (retired)
- Philip Banchong Chaiyara, C.Ss.R: appointed March 25, 2006