ASIA/THAILAND - Bishop of Surat Thani appointed

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope John Paul II has (9 October 2004) appointed Reverend Joseph Prathan Sridanusil, SDB. Bishop of Surat Thani (Thailand).
The Bishop elect was born on 9 February 1946 at Wat Phleng (Diocese of Ratchaburi). In 1964 he entered the Salesian Novitiate in Hua Hin and made his first religious profession on 2 October 1965. He studied philosophy in Hong Kong and theology in Bethlehem Israel. He was ordained a priest in Rome by Pope Paul VI 29 June 1975.
He has since been 1975-1979: Councillor at St. Dominic’s College Bangkok; 1979-1980: Director of Saeng Thong College in Haad Yai; 1980-1982: Director of Bandon College; 1982-1984: Rome: Licentiate in Spirituality at the Salesian University; 1984-1986: Director of Hua Hin College for Aspirants; 1986-1992: Inspector Vicar for the Salesian Province in Thailand; 1992-1998: Salesian provincial Superior in Thailand 1998-2001: Director, Udonthani; 2001: refresher course Nemi and at the Salesian University Rome; 2001-2004: Director of Sampran House of Formation; since 2004: Salesian Provincial Superior in Thailand.
The diocese of Surat Thani suffragan of Bangkok archdiocese was created in 1969. The area was evangelised by the Salesians who arrived here in 1930. It has an area of 76.562 sq. km., and a population of 9,015,380 including 6,682 Catholics, gathered in 20 parishes, and there are 10 mission chapels without a resident priest. There are 42 priests (8 diocesan, 32 religious, 2 Fidei donum), 99 women religious, 10 major seminarians and 33 minors. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/10/2004; Righe 18; Parole 233)