Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana

Who is Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana?

Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana is a Bishop of Chiang Mai, Thailand, appointed on February 10, 2009.

Born in Sam Sen, Bangkok, Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana was ordained a priest for the Archbishop of Bangkok on June 7, 1981 by then Archbishop Michael Michai Kitbunchu. He was the vice-rector of St. Joseph's Minor Seminary in Sampran from 1981-1985. He went to study Youth Pastoral Ministry and Catechesis at Salesian University in Rome from 1985-1988. He then served as a Director of the Diocesan Catechesis Centre until his appointment as bishop. He also serves as Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Catechesis. He was also a chaplain of St. Joseph Convent school from 1990-1998.

On February 10, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as Bishop of Chiang Mai. He was ordained on May 1, 2009 by Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu. Co-consecrators were the Apostolic nuncio in Thailand, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, and Joseph Sangval Surasarang, former Bishop of Chiang Mai.