Vientiane (Vicariate Apostolic) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Anthony Adoun Hongsaphong, Vicar Apostolic
Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, I.V.Dei, Cardinal, Vicar Apostolic Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Vicariate Apostolic
Elevated: 13 March 1952
Vicariate
Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelization
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Square Kilometers: 74,195 (28,657 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Centre Catholique, B.P. 113, Vientiane, Laos
Telephone: (020)552.56.018
Fax: (021)21.62.19

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane e Luang-Prabang
- Latin Name: de Vientiane et Luang-Prabang
- Erected: 14 June 1938
- Country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Past and Present Ordinaries

Jean-Henri Mazoyer, O.M.I. † (17 Jun 1938 Appointed - 13 Mar 1952 Ceased)
Étienne-Auguste-Germain Loosdregt, O.M.I. † (13 Mar 1952 Appointed - 22 May 1975 Resigned)
Thomas Nantha † (22 May 1975 Appointed - 7 Apr 1984 Died)
Jean Khamsé Vithavong, O.M.I. † (7 Apr 1984 Succeeded - 2 Feb 2017 Retired)
Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, I.V.Dei (16 Dec 2017 Appointed - 23 Dec 2024 Retired)
Anthony Adoun Hongsaphong (23 Dec 2024 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane e Luang-Prabang
14 June 1938	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Laos (Vientiane, Xieng-Khuang (or Tran-Ninh), Luang-Prabang, Huei-Sai (or Eaut-Melcong), and the Fifth Military Territory or Phong-Sali)	Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane e Luang-Prabang (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane
13 March 1952	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane e Luang-Prabang	Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane (and name change)
14 February 1958	Territory Added	Vicariate Apostolic of Thanh Hóa (Sam-Neua)	Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane
1 March 1963	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane	Vicariate Apostolic of Luang Prabang (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane e Luang-Prabang

1950 3,000 600,000 .5% 3 18 21 142 4 7 ap1951

Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane

1970 14,112 435,000 3.2% 4 49 53 266 54 45 ap1971

1975 18,000 775,000 2.3% 3 9 12 1,500 11 32 ap1991

1994 12,000 1,217,000 1.0% 4 4 3,000 29 8 ap2000

2000 11,471 2,680,000 .4% 3 1 4 2,867 4 91 ap2001

2001 11,471 1,235,000 .9% 3 1 4 2,867 1 91 4 ap2002

2002 11,120 1,478,000 .8% 3 3 3,706 2 18 17 ap2003

2014 14,947 2,216,558 .7% 1 4 5 2,989 4 20 23 ap2015

2017 15,750 2,417,000 .7% 1 10 11 1,431 10 19 23 ap2018

2020 16,650 2,508,000 .7% 3 3 6 2,775 4 13 47 ap2021

2022 14,323 2,402,000 .6% 3 3 6 2,387 5 23 51 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane e Luang-Prabang
1950	3,000	600,000	.5%	3	18	21	142		4	7	ap1951
Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane
1970	14,112	435,000	3.2%	4	49	53	266	54	45		ap1971
1975	18,000	775,000	2.3%	3	9	12	1,500	11	32		ap1991
1994	12,000	1,217,000	1.0%	4		4	3,000		29	8	ap2000
2000	11,471	2,680,000	.4%	3	1	4	2,867	4	91		ap2001
2001	11,471	1,235,000	.9%	3	1	4	2,867	1	91	4	ap2002
2002	11,120	1,478,000	.8%	3		3	3,706	2	18	17	ap2003
2014	14,947	2,216,558	.7%	1	4	5	2,989	4	20	23	ap2015
2017	15,750	2,417,000	.7%	1	10	11	1,431	10	19	23	ap2018
2020	16,650	2,508,000	.7%	3	3	6	2,775	4	13	47	ap2021
2022	14,323	2,402,000	.6%	3	3	6	2,387	5	23	51	ap2023

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Anthony Adoun Hongsaphong (Vicar Apostolic: 23 Dec 2024 - )
Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, I.V.Dei (Priest: 5 Nov 1972 to 30 Oct 2000; Apostolic Administrator: 2 Feb 2017; Vicar Apostolic: 16 Dec 2017 to 23 Dec 2024)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Leonello Berti, O.M.I. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 18 Jun 1962 to 1 Mar 1963)
Jean Khamsé Vithavong, O.M.I. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 19 Nov 1982; Vicar Apostolic: 7 Apr 1984 to 2 Feb 2017)
Étienne-Auguste-Germain Loosdregt, O.M.I. † (Vicar Apostolic: 13 Mar 1952 to 22 May 1975)
Jean-Henri Mazoyer, O.M.I. † (Prefect: 17 Jun 1938 to 13 Mar 1952)
Thomas Nantha † (Priest: 27 Jun 1935; Auxiliary Bishop: 25 Apr 1974; Vicar Apostolic: 22 May 1975 to 7 Apr 1984)
Tito Banchong Thopanhong † (Priest: 28 Sep 1975 to 25 Jan 2025)

Source(s)

Prefecture Apostolic of Vientiane e Luang-Prabang
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 30, Page 403, to Page 405
Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 44, Page 707, and Page 708
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 50, Page 229

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Vicariate Apostolic of Vientiane

Vicariatus Apostolicus Vientianensis