Laos: Difference between revisions

'''Laos''', officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked nation in [[Southeast Asia]], spanning approximately 236,800 km², bordered by [[Myanmar]], [[China]], [[Vietnam]], [[Cambodia]], and [[Thailand]].<ref name="CIA">{{Cite web |title=Laos |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/laos/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> With a population of about 7.7 million, its official language is [[Lao]], and its economy relies on agriculture, hydropower, and mining. The [[Catholic Church]], introduced in the 16th century, is a minority religion, with approximately 100,000 Catholics (1.3% of the population), contributing to cultural life through devotion to [[Our Lady of Lourdes]].<ref name="GCatholic">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church in Laos |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/LA.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-04-15 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref><ref name="Wikipedia">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church in Laos |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Laos |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> In a predominantly Buddhist society under communist rule, the Church faces significant challenges from government restrictions, monitoring, and limited religious freedom, yet remains resilient through local clergy and laypeople.<ref name="StateReligion2023">{{Cite web |title=2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Laos |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/ |publisher=U.S. Department of State |date=2024-06-26 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref><ref name="LaCroix">{{Cite web |title=Laos' small Catholic community shows resilience |url=https://international.la-croix.com/news/laos-catholic-community-resilience |publisher=La Croix International |date=2024-11-05 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref>[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Laos)[](https://international.la-croix.com/religion/laos-small-catholic-community-shows-resilience-despite-isolation)

Laos’s history includes the Lan Xang kingdom (14th–18th centuries), French colonization (1893–1953), and communist rule since 1975.<ref name="Encyclopedia">{{Cite web |title=Laos |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/asia/laotian-political-geography/laos |publisher=Encyclopedia.com |date=2025-03-01 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> Catholicism arrived in the 16th century with Portuguese and French missionaries, expanding under French rule. The Church faced severe restrictions post-1975, with clergy expelled and churches closed, but has slowly rebuilt.<ref name="CatholicHierarchy">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church in Laos |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/la.html |publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |date=2025-02-01 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> Key Catholic milestones include the establishment of the [[Apostolic Vicariate of Vientiane]] (1952), the beatification of 17 [[Martyrs of Laos]] (2016), and Cardinal [[Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun]]’s elevation in 2017.<ref name="Martyrs">{{Cite web |title=Martyrs of Laos |url=https://mrijournal.riccimac.org/martyrs-of-laos |publisher=Matteo Ricci Journal |date=2020-09-22 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref>[](https://mrijournal.riccimac.org/index.php/en/issues/issue-6/127-martyrs-of-laos-from-odium-fidei-to-the-veneration-of-ancestors)[](http://www.fides.org/en/news/62555-ASIA_LAOS_With_Cardinal_Ling_the_Catholic_community_in_Laos_has_equal_dignity)

Laos’s population of approximately 7.7 million is 47% Lao, 14% Khmu, 11% Hmong, and 28% other ethnic groups.<ref name="CIA"/> About 100,000 (1.3%) are Catholic, ranking third behind Buddhists (66%) and animists (30%), with Protestants at 2%.<ref name="Wikipedia"/> Catholics, including ethnic Vietnamese and Lao, are concentrated in [[Vientiane]], [[Savannakhet]], and [[Pakse]], facing government scrutiny.<ref name="StateReligion2023"/>[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Laos)[](https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/)

The [[Catholic Church in Laos]] oversees 4 apostolic vicariates, approximately 30 parishes, 47 priests, and 107 nuns, guided by the [[Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Laos and Cambodia]].<ref name="GCatholic"/><ref name="Wikipedia"/> Cardinal [[Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun]], Vicar Apostolic of Vientiane, leads pastoral efforts. The Church runs schools and charities, resilient despite restrictions.<ref name="LaCroix"/>[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Laos)[](https://international.la-croix.com/religion/laos-small-catholic-community-shows-resilience-despite-isolation)

Significant Catholic events include the arrival of missionaries (16th century), the establishment of the [[Apostolic Vicariate of Vientiane]] (1952), the expulsion of foreign clergy post-1975, the beatification of 17 [[Martyrs of Laos]] (2016), and Cardinal Ling’s elevation (2017).<ref name="Martyrs"/><ref name="Fides">{{Cite web |title=With Cardinal Ling, the Catholic community in Laos |url=http://www.fides.org/en/news/72304-ASIA_LAOS_With_Cardinal_Ling |publisher=Agenzia Fides |date=2017-06-30 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> In 2023, government monitoring of Catholic leaders persisted, limiting activities.<ref name="StateReligion2023"/>[](https://mrijournal.riccimac.org/index.php/en/issues/issue-6/127-martyrs-of-laos-from-odium-fidei-to-the-veneration-of-ancestors)[](http://www.fides.org/en/news/62555-ASIA_LAOS_With_Cardinal_Ling_the_Catholic_community_in_Laos_has_equal_dignity)[](https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/)

The [[Catholic Church]] in Laos is a minority religion, with 1.3% of the population identifying as Catholic in a predominantly Buddhist (66%) society.<ref name="Wikipedia"/> The state is communist, with the 1991 constitution guaranteeing religious freedom in theory, but the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) controls clergy training and monitors activities, restricting Catholic influence.<ref name="StateReligion2023"/>[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Laos)[](https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion_in_Laos)

Lao Catholics celebrate [[Our Lady of Lourdes]] on February 11 with Masses at [[Sacred Heart Cathedral]] in [[Vientiane]].<ref name="Cultures">{{Cite web |title=Lao Catholic Traditions |url=https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/laos |publisher=Catholics & Cultures |date=2025-03-10 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> Christmas and Easter incorporate Lao customs, like sticky rice offerings, but are subdued due to government oversight.<ref name="LaCroix"/>[](https://international.la-croix.com/religion/laos-small-catholic-community-shows-resilience-despite-isolation)

The Church operates a few schools and supports charities like [[Caritas Laos]], aiding rural communities despite restrictions.<ref name="Caritas">{{Cite web |title=Caritas Laos |url=https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/asia/laos/ |publisher=Caritas Internationalis |date=2025-02-15 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> Catholic officials often conceal their faith to join the LPRP or government roles.<ref name="StateReligion2022">{{Cite web |title=2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Laos |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/ |publisher=U.S. Department of State |date=2023-05-15 |access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref>[](https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/)

The 17 [[Martyrs of Laos]], beatified in 2016, including priests and laypeople killed between 1954–1970, are venerated for their faith amid persecution.<ref name="Martyrs"/> No canonized saints are native to Laos.[](https://mrijournal.riccimac.org/index.php/en/issues/issue-6/127-martyrs-of-laos-from-odium-fidei-to-the-veneration-of-ancestors)

The Catholic Church faces significant challenges from government restrictions, with the LPRP controlling clergy training and monitoring leaders to prevent foreign influence.<ref name="StateReligion2023"/> Christians, particularly in Savannakhet, face harassment, and Catholic officials must conceal their faith for government roles.<ref name="StateReligion2022"/> The small Catholic population (1.3%) and rural religious freedom declines limit growth, with the Church relying on local clergy and lay resilience.<ref name="LaCroix"/>[](https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion_in_Laos)[](https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/)

The Church promotes [[Catholic Social Teaching]] through education and charity, with limited political influence due to communist control.<ref name="Caritas"/> It fosters community support and interfaith dialogue, maintaining a discreet presence in a tightly regulated society.<ref name="Fides"/>[](http://www.fides.org/en/news/62555-ASIA_LAOS_With_Cardinal_Ling_the_Catholic_community_in_Laos_has_equal_dignity)