Roman Catholic Diocese of Ratchaburi


The Diocese of Ratchaburi is a Latin suffragan diocese of the archdiocese of Bangkok in western central Thailand.
The diocese covers an area of, covering four of the western provinces of Thailand: Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Kanchanaburi, and Samut Songkhram. As of 2001, of the 2.2 million citizens, 15,246 are members of the Catholic Church. It is divided into 17 parishes, having 71 priests altogether.
While the cathedral episcopal see dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady is at Bang Nok Khwaek, the diocesan center is in the town of Ratchaburi.

History

The diocese dates back to 30 June 1930, when the Mission sui iuris of Rajaburi was created, originally responsible for the south and west of Thailand, on territory split off from the then Apostolic Vicariate of Bangkok. It was run by the Salesian order, who came there in 1927 and supplied the missionary Ordinaries. The 18 missionaries took over a mission previously run by the Paris Foreign Missionaries.
On 28 May 1934 it was elevated to Apostolic Prefecture of Rajaburi; on 3 March 1941 to Apostolic Vicariate of Rajaburi, hence entitled to a titular bishop.
On 18 December 1965 it became the Diocese of Bangnokhuek. On 21 October 1966 it was renamed Diocese of Ratburi.
On 26 June 1969 the Diocese of Surat Thani was split off from the diocese, which continued to be run by Salesians, while the remainder, again renamed Diocese of Ratchaburi, was since then under the responsibility of native priests.

Cathedral

The cathedral of the diocese is the Nativity of Our Lady Cathedral. It is in Bang Nok Khwaek, Amphoe Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram Province. The church is built in French Gothic style and decorated with stained glass windows imported from France. In two rows these show scenes of the life of Jesus in top row, as well as holy people.
Around 1840 nine Chinese Catholic families moved to the rim of the Mae Klong River. The community grew to about 200 Catholics until 1847, when a first wooden church named Sala Daeng or Raung Yao was built near the site of the current cathedral. In 1850 Father Marin bought the land at the mouth of the Khlong Damnoen Saduak and donated it to the church.
In 1890 the French missionary Father Paulo Salmon started construction of the Nativity of Our Lady church, which was inaugurated on 2 February 1896. During World War II several of the windows broke, which took until 1993 to be fully repaired. In 1994-1999 a major renovation of the cathedral was undertaken, overseen by Father Pradit.

Ordinaries

;Ecclesiastical Superior of Rajaburi
;Apostolic Prefect of Rajaburi
;Apostolic Vicars of Rajaburi
;Suffragan Bishop of Bangnokhuek
;Suffragan Bishop of Ratburi
;Suffragan Bishops of Ratchaburi