Thailand’s first mercy congress prepares Catholics for 2027 Asian gathering

More than 360 Catholic delegates gathered at Baan Phu Waan in Samphran this week for Thailand’s first Apostolic Congress on Mercy. The event served as preparation for the 6th Asian Apostolic Congress on Mercy scheduled for 2027.

The congress opened on the feast of Saint John Paul II with a liturgy led by Archbishop Peter B. Wells, the apostolic nuncio to Thailand. During his homily, Wells described mercy as the strength of God against evil rather than a sign of weakness. He spoke of the fire of divine love and the Holy Spirit as forces that soften hardened hearts to make mercy possible.

The 362 participants gathered under the theme "Divine Mercy: Hope Beyond All Hopes." This national meeting follows a Thai delegation's recent trip to the 6th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in Vilnius, Lithuania, which included Father Chalongrat Sangkharat and Father John Wirach Amonpattana, C.Ss.R. Thailand previously hosted the 2nd Asian Apostolic Congress on Mercy in Bangkok, an event that attracted over 1,400 people from 12 Asian countries.