A Journey from Buddhism to Catholicism

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Lawrence Khai Saen-Phon-On (Thai: ลอเรนซ์ คายน์ แสนพลอ่อน, (1928-08-17)August 17, 1928 - (2007-07-24)July 24, 2007) was archbishop of Thare and Nonseng in northeast Thailand from 1980 till his retirement in 2004.
Born in Ban Thung-Mon he became very sick as a young child and his Catholic mother begged God that he might live and promised to offer him to the holy priesthood should he survive. As a 12-15 year-old Catholic student in public (national) school, and a natural leader in his faith,
Lawrence was targeted for torture by the Buddhist nationalist police officers of the government that had closed down his Catholic school. Among the torture he endured on the grounds of school the school principal took him from the classroom, locked him in his office and repeatedly bashed Lawrence's head against the wall in an effort to get him to reject his faith. At another time police officers showed up at school, placed a loaded gun in his mouth, and threatened to shoot if he did not renounce Jesus. At another time police lined up all the Catholic students and told them to cross a demarcated line if they believed in Jesus. Only Lawrence did, and for that he was suspended upside down in a well by his ankles. At another time they forced him to stare at the sun. Nearby, in 1940, seven young men and women, including nuns and children, were martyred for their faith.
Lawrence became a priest in Thare on January 16, 1957. Years later, the principal of the school who had persecuted Lawrence, asked for forgiveness, and he was inspired by Lawrence's witness of faith to convert to the Catholic faith.
Lawrence met the youngest of the would be seven martyrs, who had been a girl of 13. She marched to the place of martyrdom with the nuns and others but God miraculously spared her and she told, in detail, the story of the martyrdom to Archbishop Khai, who became the Postulator to promote the Cause for their sainthood.
Background for persecution of Lawrence Khai and Other Catholics:
Beginning in 1940, there was religious persecution in Thailand. In the village of Songkhon, seven Catholics were martyred. Before the Japanese invasion of Thailand there was a reaction against things Western and foreign including Christianity. This led to the martyrdom of seven Catholics in the village of Songkhon in north-east Thailand who were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
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[@TT-hg8eo]

What a wonderful story! God bless your ministry 🙏

[@uponthisrocktelevisionmini4787]

Thank you! Please keep the ministry in your prayers.

[@scott6504]

As a Catholic, I've found a closeness to many good Buhdists. I can see how many may come to our faith.

[@gregoryburruel636]

The Archbishop story is one of Triumph and Glory... He is truly a Martyr..... Excellent topic and interview...