Bishop Phorn-Ngam takes helm as Chanthaburi’s new shepherd

Thousands of faithful gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on February 8 for the episcopal ordination of Bishop Philip Adisak Phorn-Ngam, the newly appointed prelate of Chanthaburi.

Feb 10, 2025

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The episcopal ordination of the newly appointed Bishop of Chanthaburi, Most Rev. Philip Adisak Phorn-Ngam, was attended by over 5,000 people including local religious leaders and government representatives, Feb 8, 2025. (Photo by LiCAS News)

By Chainarong Monthienvichienchai
The solemn ceremony, attended by approximately 5,000 people, was broadcast live for remote participants.

Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, formally presented and read aloud the papal bull from Pope Francis, confirming Bishop Phorn-Ngam’s appointment.

“This is a day of great blessing, as we celebrate the gift of a new shepherd for the people of God in this diocese,” Archbishop Wells said during the welcome ceremony.

Bishop Phorn-Ngam, 71, was appointed by Pope Francis on Nov. 11, 2024.

His ordination was led by Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri, his predecessor and now Bishop of Ratchaburi, with co-consecrators Archbishop-elect Francis Xavier Vira Apondratana of Bangkok and Bishop Joseph Vuthilert Haelorm of Chiang Rai.

The ordination began with a procession of bishops from Thailand and neighboring countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Civic leaders, interfaith representatives, and the Governor of Chanthaburi were also present.

Bishop Phorn-Ngam’s episcopal motto, “Domine, ostende nobis Patrem” (“Lord, show us the Father”), from John 14:8, reflects his mission to guide the faithful toward a deeper experience of God’s love.

Born on Nov. 19, 1954, in Chonburi, Bishop Phorn-Ngam is the eldest of six siblings. He entered Lux Mundi National Major Seminary in 1979 and was ordained a priest on Sept. 13, 1986.

His ministry has spanned education, formation, and pastoral care. He served as deputy manager of Darasamut School in Si Racha (1986–1989), vice-rector of the Holy Family Intermediate Seminary (1990–1994), and later studied spiritual theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (1994–1996).

He was a professor and rector at Lux Mundi National Major Seminary before taking on pastoral roles in Pattaya and later at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Chanthaburi.

Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisut, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, praised Bishop Phorn-Ngam’s humility.

His predecessor, Bishop Charatsri, highlighted the historic significance, noting, “This is the first time an episcopal ordination has taken place in this more than one-hundred-year-old cathedral.”

Fr. Joseph Yod Senarak described him as “exemplary in every aspect,” while Petro Suvij Thanasiripat, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, said, “Since his priestly ordination, he has been a compassionate servant of God’s people, committed to the Church’s mission.”

The Diocese of Chanthaburi spans eight eastern provinces of Thailand, serving a Catholic population of about 1% among five million residents.

The diocese has around 100 priests, 150 religious, and 42 parishes.

Chanthaburi holds a special place in Thailand’s Catholic history. Pope John Paul II visited the diocese in 1984, stopping at the Phanat Nikhom Refugee Camp, where thousands of Indochinese refugees were sheltered.

Bishop Phorn-Ngam takes on the leadership of the diocese following his ordination. His background in education, pastoral work, and spiritual formation positions him for his new role.--licas.news