Thare and Nonseng (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Anthony Weradet Chaiseri, Archbishop
Louis Chamniern Santisukniram, Archbishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese
Elevated: 18 December 1965
Metropolitan See
Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelization
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Thailand
Square Kilometers: 25,447 (9,828 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Archbishop's House, 326 Moo 2, Nongbuayai Rd., Thambon That Choengchum, Amphoe Muang, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
Telephone: (042)71.12.72
Fax: 71.22.23

Historical Details

Vicariate Apostolic of Laos
- Latin Name: Laosiensis
- Erected: 4 May 1899
- Vicariate
- Country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Vicariate Apostolic of Thare
- Latin Name: Tharensis
- Name Changed: 21 December 1950
- Vicariate
- Country: Thailand
Vicariate Apostolic of Thare and Nonseng
- Latin Name: Tharensis et Nonsengensis
- Name Changed: 25 March 1960
- Vicariate
- Country: Thailand

Past and Present Ordinaries

Joseph Marie Cuaz, M.E.P. † (12 May 1899 Appointed - 26 Aug 1912 Resigned)
Constant-Jean-Baptiste Prodhomme, M.E.P. † (2 Jun 1913 Appointed - 20 Aug 1920 Died)
Ange-Marie-Joseph Gouin, M.E.P. † (27 Apr 1922 Appointed - 1 Jul 1943 Resigned)
Henri-Albert Thomine, M.E.P. † (13 Jul 1944 Appointed - 21 Mar 1945 Died)
Claudius-Philippe Bayet, M.E.P. † (10 Apr 1947 Appointed - 7 May 1953 Appointed, Vicar Apostolic of Ubon)
Michael Mongkhol On Prakhongchit † (7 May 1953 Appointed - 23 Jan 1958 Died)
Michael Kien Samophithak † (12 Feb 1959 Appointed - 6 Mar 1980 Resigned)
Lawrence Khai Saen-Phon-On † (6 Mar 1980 Appointed - 14 May 2004 Retired)
Louis Chamniern Santisukniram (1 Jul 2005 Appointed - 13 May 2020 Retired)
Anthony Weradet Chaiseri (13 May 2020 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Vicariate Apostolic of Laos
4 May 1899	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Eastern Siam {Siam Orientale}	Vicariate Apostolic of Laos (erected)
8 August 1924	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Laos (Stung-Treng, Cambodia)	Vicariate Apostolic of Cambogia
14 June 1938	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Laos (Vientiane, Xieng-Khuang (or Tran-Ninh), Luang-Prabang, Huei-Sai (or Eaut-Melcong), and the Fifth Military Territory or Phong-Sali)	Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane e Luang-Prabang (erected)
21 December 1950	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Laos (Gammon, Savannakhet, Saravane, and Bassac)	Prefecture Apostolic of Thakhek (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Thare
21 December 1950	Name Changed	Vicariate Apostolic of Laos	Vicariate Apostolic of Thare
7 May 1953	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Thare (Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Sisaket, Itbon, Chaiyaphum, Buriram, Khorat, and Surin)	Vicariate Apostolic of Ubon (erected)
7 May 1953	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Thare (Loi, Nongkhai, Khonken, and Udon)	Prefecture Apostolic of Udonthani (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Thare and Nonseng
25 March 1960	Name Changed	Vicariate Apostolic of Thare	Vicariate Apostolic of Thare and Nonseng
Archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng
18 December 1965	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Thare and Nonseng	Archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Vicariate Apostolic of Laos

1950 24,500 27 27 907 103 ap1951

Vicariate Apostolic of Thare

Vicariate Apostolic of Thare and Nonseng

Archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng

1970 25,153 1,500,000 1.7% 24 7 31 811 7 72 ap1971

1980 34,918 2,179,808 1.6% 20 3 23 1,518 3 74 15 ap1981

1990 41,917 2,697,000 1.6% 29 29 1,445 92 28 ap1991

1999 48,229 3,113,865 1.5% 49 49 984 95 32 ap2000

2000 48,887 3,117,179 1.6% 47 47 1,040 92 30 ap2001

2001 49,489 3,118,865 1.6% 51 51 970 99 30 ap2002

2002 48,930 3,262,786 1.5% 50 50 978 102 49 ap2003

2003 49,528 3,343,077 1.5% 52 52 952 103 49 ap2004

2004 50,008 3,157,780 1.6% 49 1 50 1,000 1 107 74 ap2005

2010 44,078 3,171,478 1.4% 63 3 66 667 3 94 75 ap2011

2014 47,600 3,182,000 1.5% 70 2 72 661 4 127 77 ap2015

2017 54,991 3,275,648 1.7% 69 4 73 753 4 121 80 ap2018

2020 56,523 3,262,600 1.7% 75 5 80 706 8 125 80 ap2021

2022 57,100 3,198,000 1.8% 73 9 82 696 11 119 78 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Laos
1950	24,500			27		27	907		103		ap1951
Vicariate Apostolic of Thare
Vicariate Apostolic of Thare and Nonseng
Archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng
1970	25,153	1,500,000	1.7%	24	7	31	811	7	72		ap1971
1980	34,918	2,179,808	1.6%	20	3	23	1,518	3	74	15	ap1981
1990	41,917	2,697,000	1.6%	29		29	1,445		92	28	ap1991
1999	48,229	3,113,865	1.5%	49		49	984		95	32	ap2000
2000	48,887	3,117,179	1.6%	47		47	1,040		92	30	ap2001
2001	49,489	3,118,865	1.6%	51		51	970		99	30	ap2002
2002	48,930	3,262,786	1.5%	50		50	978		102	49	ap2003
2003	49,528	3,343,077	1.5%	52		52	952		103	49	ap2004
2004	50,008	3,157,780	1.6%	49	1	50	1,000	1	107	74	ap2005
2010	44,078	3,171,478	1.4%	63	3	66	667	3	94	75	ap2011
2014	47,600	3,182,000	1.5%	70	2	72	661	4	127	77	ap2015
2017	54,991	3,275,648	1.7%	69	4	73	753	4	121	80	ap2018
2020	56,523	3,262,600	1.7%	75	5	80	706	8	125	80	ap2021
2022	57,100	3,198,000	1.8%	73	9	82	696	11	119	78	ap2023