Bangkok (Thailand). On 1 December 2024, at the Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan Pagoda, at the Grand Royal Palace, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, an inter-religious prayer took place in suffrage for Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guizot of the Congregation for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See who died in Rome on 25 November.
The celebration, attended by Christian and Buddhist representatives, was organized by the Buddhist Community, together with the Commissions for Interreligious and Ecumenical Dialogue, led by the Council of Roman Catholic Bishops of Thailand.
Among the many participants, there were 98 Christians of different religious representations: Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ursuline Sisters, Thai Catholic Women’s Association, Focolarini, and groups from the Diocese of Bangkok, Seminarians of the ‘Saengtham College Lux Mundi’, and students of the Catechistical Center.
Chao Prakun Somdet Phra Maha Theerachan, Member of the Supreme Council of the Sangha, Abbot Head of the North, Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimon Mangkhalaram Metta, led the ceremony of suffrage, born from his proposal in the name of fraternal friendship with Card. Miguel Ángel Ayuso.
Presiding was the President of the Council of Catholic Bishops of Thailand, Bishop of Nakhon Ratchasima, Bishop of the Diocese of Bangkok, was Joseph Chusak Sirisut.
The prayer was well guided by both parties, so as to encourage the gathering of the faithful participants inside and outside the pagoda; the Bonzi took turns to lead with prayers in their own language Balì.
The group of Christians instead guided the prayer of the psalms of the rite for the dead, alternating songs and reading the Word of God. The whole room was decorated in a delicate Thai style.
At the end of the moment, Chao Prakun Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarana did the “Sangveka Dhamma Katha: memory of the life” of Card. Miguel Angel. Having met him several times in the Vatican and in Thailand, he highlighted the good work he did, particularly in promoting good relations at an interreligious level and in witnessing to his faithful love for his Creed. He was dedicated to the service of humanity, a true supporter in the construction of friendship between religions; all his life alongside Pope Francis, he made many journeys even in the desert, as pilgrimages of fraternity.
Cardinal Miguel Angel showed his commitment and dedication in promoting interfaith dialogue with Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and other religions around the world.
There is a long-standing friendship between Vatican City and Wat Phra Chetuphon, from the moment when Somdet Phra Wanrat, Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon, had obtained permission to travel to the Vatican City State, where he met Pope Paul VI, 5 June 1972, making the friendship between the two religions, Buddhism and Christianity flourish since then.
“Fame and Family will not decay”: according to this Buddhist saying, only the physical form decays, but the fame of his good deeds and that of his family still remain in the heart of all humanity.
“The monks of Wat Phra Chetuphon and I have received the news that the Lord has accepted Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guizot and now he is with Him in heaven. Since 25 November 2024, Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guizot rests in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. For all eternity.”
The conclusion of his homage to the Cardinal meant that the participants in the prayer recognized the mutual and sincere understanding in the dialogue between people of different creeds.
At the conclusion of the Christian ceremony, Msgr. Joseph Chusak Sirisut also highlighted some aspects of the mission of the Cardinal, proposing a reflection on the Gospel message, “If the grain of wheat fallen into the ground does not die, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:24-26). He then thanked all the benefactors, in particular Somdej Phra Maha Theerachan, for the kindness in offering to host the prayer moment in their own environment, dedicating exemplary ritual words that testify to the creative fidelity to the mission of fostering communion and solidarity in works of charity.
In addition to providing the environment, the Bonzi invited everyone to a fraternal moment of conviviality, a gift from benefactors and volunteers.
