Apostolic Vicariate of Vientiane
| Apostolic Vicariate of Vientiane Vicariatus Apostolicus Vientianensis ອັກຄະສາວົກແທນຂອງນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງ | |
|---|---|
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Cathedral of the Sacred Heart | |
| Location | |
| Country | Laos |
| Metropolitan | Immediately subject to the Holy See |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 98,000 km2 (38,000 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics |
(as of 2002) 1.5 million 11,120 (0.8%) |
| Information | |
| Rite | Latin |
| Cathedral | Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Vientiane |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Apostolic Vicar | Jean Khamsé Vithavong, O.M.I |
| Map | |
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Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane (Latin: Vicariatus Apostolicus Vientianensis) is a subdivision of the Roman Catholic Church in Laos.
The vicariate covers the provinces of Houaphan, Xiangkhoang, Vientiane Province, Vientiane Prefecture and most of Bolikhamsai. It is subdivided into 17 parishes.
One of the largest churches is the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Vientiane, which was built in 1928 and renovated in 2004/2005.
History
The vicariate goes back to the Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane and Luang-Prabang, which was created on June 14, 1938, by splitting of the northern part of the Vicariate Apostolic of Laos. On March 13, 1952, it was elevated to an apostolic vicariate, and renamed to simply Vientiane. The northern part around Luang Prabang was split off in 1963 and formed the Vicariate Apostolic of Luang Prabang.
Ordinaries
- Jean Khamsé Vithavong, O.M.I., since 1984, was coadjutor vicar apostolic 1982-1984
- Thomas Nantha - 1975-1984
- Etienne-Auguste-Germain Loosdregt, O.M.I., 1952–1975
- Giovanni Enrico Mazoyer, O.M.I., 1938–1952
The vicariate also had an auxiliary bishop temporarily.
- Thomas Nantha - 1974-1975
- Lionello Berti, O.M.I., 1962–1963
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"Sacre Coeur" in Vientiane.
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"Sacre Coeur" in Vientiane.
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"Sacre Coeur" in Vientiane.