What is a cardinal and what does he do? These are questions the common folk,, mostly Buddhists may ask, upon hearing about the naming of Bangkok’s Archbishop Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij. He is the second Thai Cardinal after Michael Michai Kitbunchu, instated more than 30 years ago in 1983. Also other two new Asian Cardinals: Mons. Charles Bo of Myanmar and Mons. Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon from Vietnam will be named in the next consistory set for 14 February.

To respond to the interest aroused by the nomination, the local Church promoted a press conference that gathered about 30 journalists and local Thai media operators, including some well known Asian newspapers.

One of the most frequent questions the new Cardinal had to answer was: “Does this nomination reflect the Catholic Church’s desire to diffuse Christianity more in Thailand?” Thirty years ago in fact, there were rumours diffused by a group of Buddhist fundamentalists, of a Vatican “conspiracy” to undermine Thai Buddhism. This is an issue which no one believes any longer. The Thai people are renowned for their tolerance and friendliness. Christianity is not deterred, even if the Christians constitute less than 1% of the population.

Mons. Kriengsak of Bangkok thinks that with these nominees, Pope Francis wishes to underline the universality of the Church, and in answering the many questions of the Buddhist journalists, narrated with simplicity that God is Love, and took flesh in Jesus who brought the life of the Trinity on earth – and that mutual love makes us brothers and sisters. He also stressed that all religions hold common values, such as the “golden rule” (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you“) and continued by stating that the Catholic Church promotes dialogue in all fields and, particularly interreligious dialogue in Thailand. Those who know the new Cardinal well, are aware that he has a deep friendship with a good number of Buddhist monks, along with lay people, always open to followers of all faiths. We are surprised by the fact that the person who had sent us a copy of the Thai newspaper with the photo and promotion of Archbishop Kriengsak on the first page was precisely a famous monk of the Buddhist monastery at the outskirts of Bangkok! “Together – Archbishop. Kriengsak said – we work for the good of society, peace in the world and unity of humanity.” He invited all, whatever faith they profess, to pray daily for peace in the world, and observe a minute of silence at six every afternoon for this purpose.

In answering the question on education for which the Thai Church is highly esteemed, he sustained that it has to be open to everyone, of all walks of life. He repeated Pope Francis’s appeal to “go out towards the outskirts of society,” citing the many charitable works the Church undertakes, highlighting the various initiatives to face a rather recent phenomenon: the flux of many refugees in Thailand. With regard to the challenges of the Church: “Secularism is a challenge for all religions. Also due to this, all religions have to cooperate to imbue society with positive values.” “The Church in our continent, though small, can give its contribution in promoting unity in Asia, in the perspective of a more united world.”

In answering the last question we posed on how this news is to be interpreted, he said that he was very surprised and had accepted the nomination to say yes to God’s will, entrusting himself to His grace, like Mary. He asked us to pray for him, confiding that he was counting on the spirituality of unity which he had embraced ever since he was a seminarian. He will keep his motto: “Verbum crucis dei virtus est”(The language of the Cross is the power of God).

C,B. Tay