Bishop confronts own fears in violence-torn south

SURAT THANI, Thailand (UCAN) — The bishop of Surat Thani has spoken about how he was forced to confront his own fears in order to serve his flock in the violence-torn southern border provinces.

“When I first arrived here, I was worried about having to visit Catholic communities around that area,” Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil said. “For my personal safety, I used to avoid it,” said the Salesian bishop who took office in November 2004. The bishop used to take an indirect route and cross the border to Malaysia and then reenter Thailand to avoid traveling through dangerous areas.

However, after a year, “I realized I have to be with the people and experience whatever they experience, fear and all … I leave my life in God’s hands.”

Bishop Prathan of Surat Thani diocese travels in a car driven by a seminarian almost every month to attend events organized by Catholic communities.

Some 4,000 people have died since 2004 in violent incidents and clashes in the predominantly Malay-Muslim provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala. Even Buddhist monks on their morning alms rounds have been attacked and killed.

The bishop said traveling through the area was like going through a war zone, with many checkpoints, soldiers and armored vehicles.

“Catholic communities are not directly targeted but like everyone else, they face risks when they are on the road,” Bishop Prathan said.

Police had warned Christian communities against holding Christmas celebrations after dark due to bomb threats.

However, Bishop Prathan’s experience has been largely positive. “After I went to the area for some time, I met several people there familiar with Muslim leaders. I felt that they were very friendly to us,” he said.

He added that “in general Christian, Buddhist and Muslim in these areas are friendly, there are many activities that they have been doing together.”

The Thai Church’s justice and peace commission has organized several workshops involving Catholic and Muslim leaders on how to create peace since the past year or so.

Seven of Surat Thani diocese’s 39 Catholic churches and chapels are located in the three troubled provinces, home to about 200 Catholics. They are served by three priests and six nuns.

TH08527.1584 January 14, 2010 35 EM-lines (360 words)

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