| Vicariate Apostolic of Paksé Vicariatus Apostolicus Paksensis |
|
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Laos |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 45,000 km2 (17,000 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics |
(as of 2003) 1 million 14,519 (1.3%) |
| Information | |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Current leadership | |
| Apostolic Vicar | Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun |
Vicariate Apostolic of Paksé (Latin: Vicariatus Apostolicus Paksensis) is a major unit of the Roman Catholic Church in Laos. The Vicar Apostolic since 2000 is Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun. It was established in 1967, when it was split off from the Vicariate Apostolic of Savannakhet. Covering an area of 45,000 km² of southern Laos, the Vicariate is the smallest of the apostolic vicariates in Laos. 14,519 of 1 million citizen in the area are member of the Catholic Church, half of them are of ethnic minorities.
The vicariate covers the provinces of Champasak, Salavan, Xekong and Attapu, however the most Catholics live in Champasak and Saravan. It is subdivided into 26 parishes. It has only 3 priests, and 19 sisters from the Soeurs de la Charite (Sisters of Charity) and the Filles Marie de la Croix (Daughters of Mary of the Cross).