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Volume 26 No. 1 | Autumn 2016
Thailand, the number is still relatively low compared to
that of workers from those other countries.”
Fr Anthony says his work with Vietnamese migrants
in Thailand sits right at the heart of the Divine Word
Missionaries’ commitment to walk with migrants, refugees
and the marginalised.
“I believe our Society as a whole has always given priority
to migrant issues,” he says. “And the Australian Province
(of which the Thai District is a part), has in recent years
become more focused on this ministry in its various forms
and contexts.
“I think those of us who work in the area of migrants and
refugees not only carry out these provincial and Society
priorities, but we also contribute to making the ministry
itself a priority through our commitment and our sharing
of personal stories and experiences related to our work.”
Through his work with the Vietnamese migrant community
in Thailand, Fr Anthony has gained a reputation for being
“the priest that gets the phone call when someone gets
into a serious accident or dies”.
“Part of the reason I get the phone call is because these
situations involve complicated things, such as legal,
financial, and justice issues that they need my help to
handle or resolve.
“I don’t mind serving in this way. I find a lot of meaning
in knowing that I can not only be the priest that they can
contact easily on Facebook to simply chat or to seek
advice, the priest to take photos with after Sunday Mass,
but also the priest that they can turn to in their most
difficult and painful times.
“My satisfaction comes from the fact that I can give them
comfort and strength when everything is utterly confusing
and overwhelming for them.”
Fr Anthony says he sees his ministry with Vietnamese
migrants as part of his work of evangelisation in Thailand.
“In Thailand there are only 300,000 Catholics out of a
population of 67 million people,” he says.
“I believe that by ministering to the Vietnamese migrant
workers, especially the Catholics, and encouraging them
to live out their faith enthusiastically and devotedly
amidst their challenges and obstacles, they can serve as
valuable witnesses for Christ among the Thai people, both
Catholics and Buddhists.
“How they conduct themselves as young Christians
will contribute to the overall mission of the Church in
Thailand.”
He says this can also contribute to helping the wider
community to see the great value that Vietnamese
migrants bring to Thailand.
“Vietnamese migrants have been in Thailand for over
300 years, since the days when they had to flee religious
persecution in Vietnam to come to Thailand,” Fr Anthony
says.
“Various generations of Vietnamese Catholics who have
come to Thailand in the last 300 years have contributed
greatly to the Thai church.
“Vietnamese migrant workers can also contribute in their
own ways and in their special context.
“As an SVD, I am always conscious of, and intentional, in
having the missionary dimension of my ministry be clear
and convincing to myself as well as to those with whom I
share my experience.”