In a historic milestone bridging two centuries of Catholic heritage across East and Southeast Asia, the Archdiocese of Seoul and the Archdiocese of Bangkok have formally joined hands to promote the cause of beatification and canonization for Bishop Barthélemy Bruguière, MEP (1792–1835).
On the afternoon of Oct. 22, 2026, at the Archbishop’s Office in the Seoul Curia, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul and Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok signed a “Joint Declaration on Cooperation,” pledging mutual spiritual solidarity and collaborative historical research to honor the pioneering French missionary.
“I am deeply grateful and delighted that the Archdiocese of Bangkok and the Archdiocese of Seoul can unite in this joint initiative to honor Bishop Bruguière,” declared Archbishop Chung during the signing ceremony.
The joint initiative reflects a profound historical bond. Nearly two centuries ago, Bishop Bruguière—a member of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (Missions Étrangères de Paris or MEP)—was ordained as auxiliary bishop in Siam (now Thailand).
After five years of dedicated apostolic service in the kingdom, his missionary zeal impelled him to volunteer as the first Apostolic Vicar to Korea, then a hermit kingdom marked by severe persecution.
Though he endured a grueling overland journey across China toward his destination, Bishop Bruguière died near the Korean border in 1835 before ever setting foot in the country.
In a personal reflection shared with LiCAS News, Archbishop Vira highlighted how the initiative revives this sacred chapter of history.
“This gathering has brought to light the history of Bishop Barthélemy Bruguière, who served for five years in Siam before volunteering for Korea,” Archbishop Vira noted.
“It has fostered a deeper appreciation for the missionary legacy of the MEP in both Thailand and Korea, while strengthening the collaboration between our local churches in a special and lasting way,” the prelate added.
Rather than serving as a rigid legal instrument, the declaration represents a solemn pledge of spiritual solidarity and fraternal communion in Christ. Under the new agreement, both archdioceses will collaborate across four primary dimensions:
- ● A Joint Prayer Movement to support the ongoing cause of beatification and canonization.
- ● Preservation and Research dedicated to historical archives and shared MEP heritage.
- ● Cultural Promotion Initiatives aimed at introducing the bishop’s testimony to modern faithful.
- ● Mutual Pastoral Exchange between clergy, religious, and lay communities.
The October agreement marks the culmination of deliberate inter-diocesan dialogue.
On August 29–30, 2026, Archbishop Chung led a five-member South Korean delegation to Bangkok to personally invite Archbishop Vira to Seoul.
Accompanied by Vicar General Peter Piyachart Makornkan, Chancellor Secretary Emanuel Sahaphon Tangthavorn, Treasurer Fr. Paul Yodchai Lekprasert, and Fr. Testu Brice Terence, MEP Regional Superior, Archbishop Vira traveled to Seoul to seal the pact.
The cross-cultural communion will soon bear visible fruit in Thailand. As part of the ongoing collaborative celebrations, a 35-member choir representing Korean holy shrines is scheduled to visit Thailand to perform a sacred concert at Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok from October 22–24, 2027.
Through this shared endeavor, both local churches invite the faithful to join in prayer as they rediscover their common roots and carry forward the missionary spirit that united Siam and Korea nearly two centuries ago.
