The Archdiocese of Bangkok organized the Silver anniversary of elevation as Cardinal, of His Eminence Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu and the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the St. Joseph Seminary, Sampran, Nakhonpathom. With the Cardinal as presider in the Eucharistic celebration the Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio, Bishop George Yod Phimphisan, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, Bishops, priests, religious and the faithful were also present

1929 Cardinal Michael Michai was born on 24 January 1929 at St. Peter Church, Sampran, son of Joseph Yuhong and Maria Kluab. Cardinal is the 5th child among 8 children in the family.

1959 He was ordained priest on 20 December 1959 at the Propaganda Fide College by Cardinal Petro Agajanian together with Fr. Joseph Ek Thapping (later was consecrated Bishop of Ratchaburi diocese and passed away on 12 February 1985).

1983 Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu had been assigned to many duties in the Thai Church even before his elevation as Cardinal. He was appointed Cardinal on February 2, 1983 and from then he was engaged to various works not only in the local Church of Thailand but also in the universal church. Indeed, the Cardinal is a pastor as seen in his ministry for the people.

Cardinal Michai’s social pastoral care is founded on the commandment of love and being a model for the Christians. This aspect of work does not only limit itself to the Catholic faithful, rather its is extended to all regardless of
nationality and faiths, because all human beings are children of God. His Eminence gives special attention to this mission.

Following Christ’s teaching, His Eminence has issued a public announcement on 1 December 1988 to provide relief to the victims of calamities in the south of Thailand: Let all the Catholic faithful perform charitable works and love to our neighbors in accordance with their capacity measuring up to the Christ’s teaching. “I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me” (Mt. 25: 40). And again, Lord said: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt. 5: 7).

It is observed also that every time there occurs a natural catastrophe either in Thailand or abroad His Eminence will be the first person to lead and invite all to commit an act of charity. He would invite all the priests and the faithful to show their love and mercy through prayers and donations for the victims.

“Tsunami” was one of the tragic disaster that hit the 6 southern provinces of Thailand on 26 December 2004 and the Cardinal tried by all means to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims. He collected donations from both in and out of the country, collaborated with every sector and came up many sustainable projects to the benefit of all.

Besides, there are also several centers providing love and care for the elderly, for people living with HIV, girls with personal or family problems, the disabled, orphans, displaced laborers, and others.

This work is carried out by the Department of Education of Bangkok Archdiocese under the close supervision of the Cardinal. He pays a keen interest on the work of the Catholic Education Council of Thailand.

• Catholic Schools must pay attention to the disadvantaged children. The value of a person does not depend on anything but morality. Education is a holistic development and the responsibility of everyone. Materialism
  and consumerism make people become selfish and unable to identify what is right and what is wrong.
• The Catholic Education in Thailand started in the Ayuttaya period about 330 years ago. It is our aim to further progress following the national, social and economic planning which focuses on human development,
  cooperation and pursuance of the state policy.
• A desire to collaborate to help the education of the rural children who will be the future of our society. They will grow to be good adults if we pay a good attention to their basic needs.
• Catholics invest for education for better quality of the Thai citizens which should have the first emphasis on spirituality rather than academic.
• We confirm that the Bangkok Archdiocese gives the same importance to both the school children in Bangkok and the countryside. We have been trying to do every thing possible for the rural children to gain a
  better education so that the local society will improve.
• The role of Catholic Schools as stated in the document of Vatican Council II is to provide formation according to Christ’s teaching the only foundation for the Catholic
  education. Concerned individual should be attentive in providing catechetical and moral formation to the children. It is our concern that in the next generation our children and grandchildren will have knowledge and technology but no morality.
  

With the many activities His Eminence undertakes the responsibility at various levels, each one with its own interesting historical background.

• Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees (COERR): is to assist the refugees and victims of calamities. This work is both at the national and international level.
• Klong Toey Slum: is a work that has been carried out by the Bangkok Archdiocese for a long time. This project has been fully supported by His Eminence.
• Humanitarian centers: For the elderly, orphans, girls with problems, the disabled, people living with HIV, mercy center, and some others.
• Central Funds: Initiated by His Eminence to provide educational and medical assistance when deemed necessary.

These various charity works do not have only Catholics as the target but they are extended to all, regardless of nationality and faiths. His Eminence teaches about Christian love and the spirit of compassion which is the core of Christianity.