Thousands of Catholics, including delegations from the region’s ethnic communities and hundreds of priests, religious, and laypeople, attended the ordination of Bishop Peter Suphot Roeksujarit as the seventh prelate of Chiang Mai on Wednesday, July 29, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in northern Thailand.
The liturgy reflected the diversity of the Diocese of Chiang Mai, where Lanna traditions, ethnic communities, and people of different faiths have long lived side by side. Church leaders from across Thailand, civil authorities, and representatives of religious communities attended the celebration.
Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand and former bishop of Chiang Mai, presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
Among the concelebrants were Archbishop Peter B. Wells, apostolic nuncio to Thailand; Archbishop Samuele Sangalli of the Dicastery for Evangelization; retired Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanich; bishops from dioceses in Thailand and neighboring countries; and hundreds of priests.
Men and women religious also attended the celebration.
At the beginning of the ordination Mass, Archbishop Wells described the occasion as a moment of joy for the Church in Thailand as God raises up “a new shepherd for His people.”
Quoting the First Letter of St. Peter, the apostolic nuncio reminded Bishop Peter that a bishop is called to shepherd God’s flock willingly, becoming “an example to the flock.”
“The mission of a bishop is noble yet humble,” Archbishop Wells said. “He is called to teach faithfully, sanctify through prayer and the sacraments, and govern with pastoral charity and wisdom. May you always find strength in God’s grace, consolation in prayer, and joy in serving the people entrusted to your care.”
The nuncio also spoke about the significance of the episcopal ministry during a reception on the eve of the ordination.
“While this is first and foremost a sacred moment for the Catholic community, the ministry of a bishop reaches far beyond the boundaries of the Church,” he said.
“A bishop is called to be a shepherd and servant of all people of goodwill—Christians of every tradition, followers of other religions, and even those who profess no religious faith. He is called to promote unity amid diversity, stand with the poor, migrants, and refugees, and become a builder of lasting peace.”
In his first address as bishop, Bishop Peter Suphot said the Diocese of Chiang Mai’s strength lies in its diversity.
Photo credit: Nipat Siriphanyos
“Like many rivers flowing into one great stream, our diversity is not a barrier but a gift. It teaches us to respect one another, to listen to one another, and to journey together. When love unites every heart, unity is born without erasing our differences.”
Bishop Peter Suphot also paid tribute to the missionaries, bishops, priests, religious, catechists, and laypeople who built the local Church in northern Thailand.
“We believe because others proclaimed the faith before us. We stand because others sacrificed before us. We serve because others gave their lives before us,” he said.
“We receive this precious inheritance with gratitude—not to preserve it for ourselves alone, but to pass it on faithfully, so that the Gospel of Christ may remain a source of hope for society.”
Bishop Peter Suphot said the Church must move beyond waiting for people to come and accompany them where they are.
“Our world is marked by uncertainty, division, and loneliness,” he said. “Many long to be heard, understood, and accompanied. We are called to go forth and proclaim the Gospel not only with our words but above all through charity, mercy, and humble service.”
He also said the episcopal ministry cannot be carried out alone.
“I embrace this ministry with humility, knowing that no shepherd can fulfil such a calling by personal strength alone. This mission belongs to the whole Church, sustained by the collaboration of priests, religious, and all the faithful.”
Bishop Peter Suphot’s episcopal motto, Caritas Omnia Corda Unit (“Love Unites All Hearts”), will guide his ministry.
Speaking to LiCAS News before his ordination, he said Christian love is “the power that enables people to open their hearts, accept one another, and walk together despite many differences.”
He said the Diocese of Chiang Mai’s diversity of ethnic groups, languages, cultures and traditions is “not an obstacle but a gift from God.”
“I have come here as a learner and a listener,” he said. “I want to continue the work already begun by those who dedicated their lives to this mission. The most important thing in pastoral ministry within such diversity is learning to walk together with mutual understanding and respect.”
Born in Ayutthaya on Nov. 2, 1961, Bishop Peter Suphot was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Bangkok in 1990 after completing his philosophy and theology studies at Lux Mundi National Major Seminary in Samphran.
He later studied social communications in Lyon, France, and served for two decades as director of the Catholic Media Department of the Archdiocese of Bangkok. He also served as parish priest of St. Louis Church and St. Raphael Church.
Before his appointment by Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Peter Suphot served as director of the Baan Phu Waan National Pastoral Centre in Samphran, episcopal vicar for the clergy of the Archdiocese of Bangkok, and chaplain to the Carmelite Sisters. As episcopal vicar, he oversaw priestly formation and vocations.
His appointment begins a new chapter for the Diocese of Chiang Mai as he promotes unity, respect for diversity, and collaboration within the Church and wider society.
