Diocese of Chiang Mai
Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana
Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana
Bishop's Residence,
5/3 Charoenprathet Rd. 12,
Tambon Changklan, Amphoe Muang,
Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Phone: (66) 53-821063-6
Fax :(66) 53-821067
Email: vira@catholic.or.th; Vira@catholic.or.th
Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana was born Oct. 3, 1955, in Samsaen, Bangkok. He completed his school education and priestly formation in Thailand. On June 7, 1981 he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu, archbishop of Bangkok. On Feb. 10, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as Bishop of Chiang Mai. He was ordained a bishop on May 1, 2009, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Chiang Mai.
From 1981 - 1985 he was Vice Rector of St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Sampran. Then he was sent to Rome for further pastoral an catechetical studies at Salesian Pontifical University (1985 - 1988), where he obtained a Licentiate in Youth Ministry and Catechetics.
Since 1988, Bishop Vira is the Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre of Bangkok. Since 1992, he is Secretary of the Commission for Catechetical Education of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand. He is Dean of the Catechetical Faculty and Professor at Major Seminary, Lux Mundi, Sampran, since 2000.
5/3 Charoenprathet Rd. 12,
Tambon Changklan, Amphoe Muang,
Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Phone: (66) 53-821063-6
Fax :(66) 53-821067
Email: vira@catholic.or.th; Vira@catholic.or.th
Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana was born Oct. 3, 1955, in Samsaen, Bangkok. He completed his school education and priestly formation in Thailand. On June 7, 1981 he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu, archbishop of Bangkok. On Feb. 10, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as Bishop of Chiang Mai. He was ordained a bishop on May 1, 2009, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Chiang Mai.
From 1981 - 1985 he was Vice Rector of St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Sampran. Then he was sent to Rome for further pastoral an catechetical studies at Salesian Pontifical University (1985 - 1988), where he obtained a Licentiate in Youth Ministry and Catechetics.
Since 1988, Bishop Vira is the Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre of Bangkok. Since 1992, he is Secretary of the Commission for Catechetical Education of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand. He is Dean of the Catechetical Faculty and Professor at Major Seminary, Lux Mundi, Sampran, since 2000.
Previous Ordinaries:
- Bishop Joseph Sangval Surasarang (1986-2009)
- Bishop Robert Rattna Bamrungtrakul (1975-1987)
- Bishop Lucien Lacoste (1959-1975 )
Latest News