Hundreds of Catholic business leaders gathered in Bangkok on Nov. 18 for their annual general meeting, which saw strong support from the Church hierarchy, including the attendance of two cardinals, three bishops, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand.
In his opening remarks, Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu, retired Archbishop of Bangkok and the prelate who approved the establishment of the Catholic Business Executives and Professionals (CBEP) as a lay ministry in 1993, urged members to cultivate a spirit of mutual support, highlighting its critical role in ensuring the mission’s success.
“If we lose our morale, we lose everything. While we can replace employees or find new jobs, true success in our endeavors requires God’s presence in our work. In addition, we must strive to do good to others, particularly to our families, and remember Jesus’ teaching: whoever wishes to be a leader must first serve others,” he said.
As Asia’s first member of the International Christian Union of Business Executives (UNIAPAC), CBEP reaffirmed its commitment to promoting an economy that upholds human dignity, integrates the Social Teaching of the Church, and prioritizes the common good.
Founded in Brussels in 1931, UNIAPAC comprises over 45,000 Christian business executives across 40 countries and aims to be a global forum for promoting Christian social thought in the business sector.
In the annual report, young CBEP executive George Varakorn unveiled the Thai Catholic Hub—a platform aimed at connecting Catholic entrepreneurs, consumers, and investors.
“This initiative serves as a resource for Catholic entrepreneurs seeking job opportunities, while also providing information on church locations, Mass schedules, and pilgrimage sites nationwide,” he said.
“In essence, it will function as a centralized database for Thai Catholics, akin to Google.com, where all relevant information can be accessed in one place,” he added.
During the meeting, auctions were organized to raise funds for the repair of churches damaged by flooding in the Diocese of Chiang Mai.
The event successfully raised a total of 2.3 million THB (approximately 66,600 USD). The highlight of the evening was the highest bid of 1 million THB (around 29,000 USD) for a statue generously donated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand.
Joseph Prakai Cholahan, President of CBEP, noted that the annual dinner meeting offered attendees invaluable insights from distinguished guest speaker Chartsiri Sophonpanich, President of Bangkok Bank—the largest bank in Thailand.
“The dinner talk at today’s gathering has provided Catholic business leaders with perspectives on the future of the Thai economy within a global context,” he said.
He noted that the event provides a conducive environment for exchanging ideas, fostering professional growth, and encouraging meaningful dialogue among Catholic business executives and professionals in Thailand.
In an interview with LiCAS News, Joseph Prakai emphasized the role of CBEP as a powerful lay ministry in the New Evangelization movement, noting the importance of living out one’s faith in both personal and professional spheres.
“Operating in a predominantly non-Christian environment can feel isolating. CBEP serves as a community platform where Catholic professionals can deepen their connection to God while striving for excellence in their business pursuits,” he said.
He also highlighted recent developments at the UNIAPAC World Congress held last month in Manila, describing it as a significant milestone for UNIAPAC. The event marked its debut in Asia with the 28th World Congress, underscoring the region’s growing influence in global business discussions.
“It brought together Christian leaders from around the world, including CBEP executives, who explored sustainable business practices under the theme ‘New Paradigms for Business Sustainability.’ We returned with numerous actionable insights from various interactive sessions focusing on topics such as the influence of AI on business, social inequality, and sustainable development,” he said.
