Apostolic Vicariate of Luang Prabang

The Apostolic Vicariate of Luang Prabang (Latin apostolicus Vicariatus Luangensis Prabangensis ) is a Vicariate Apostolic of the Catholic Church in Laos based in Luang Prabang.

History

It includes the six northern provinces: Luang Prabang, Sayaburi, Phongsali, Luang Namtha and Bokeo. The Vicariate was created on March 1, 1963 by splitting the northern part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Vientiane.

Since the communist takeover of Laos in 1975, the Catholic Church was suppressed strong here. Three churches in 1975 there were here, one of them was destroyed, one converted to the police station and is used as a residence. The Bishop must contain only two of the six provinces, namely Luang Prabang and Xaignabouli, travel and must remain in Vientiane, as the government issued him a permanent residence permit for the north. However, recently, the situation began to improve. In 2005 the first church was built in Ban Pong Vang since 1975 and in 2003 the church was allowed to buy land in Luang Prabang to build a residence for the Vicariate.

Ordinaries

Vicars Apostolic of Luang Prabang

  • Lionello Berti OMI (1 March 1963-24. February 1968, Titular Bishop of Germanicopolis )
  • Alessandro Staccioli OMI (26 September 1968-29. November 1975, Titular Bishop of Taurianum, then Auxiliary Bishop of Siena)

Apostolic Administrator of Luang Prabang

  • Thomas Nantha (29 November 1975-7. April 1984)
  • Jean Khamse Vithavong OMI (1984-1999)
  • Tito Banchong Thopanhong, since April 1999
Ecclesiastical province Luang Prabang Province
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