Page 37 - รวมเล่มศาสนาในประเทศไทย ภาคภาษาอังกฤษ

Christianity

Christianity came to Thailand in the 16 Century predominantly,
th
in the form through the Roman Catholic denomination. The teaching took
roots when Somdet Phra Ramadhibodi II signed a diplomatic relationship with
Portugal, during the time when Melacca was seized. Consequently, Portuguese
people began entering Ayutthaya through business trips. Later, in the reign
of King Maha Chakraphat who had a very good relationship with Portugal,
an invitation was sent requesting missionary groups to come to Siam during
1564-1567. The first group who accepted the invitation and came to Siam were
the Dominican priests who were sent by Father Pernando ed Sante Maria,
the superior abbot of Melacca in 1567, namely Father Geronema da Cruz
and Father Sebastian d’ Orgando. They were given residence and began preach-
ing. This is considered to be the first official Christian propagation in Siam.

The first group of Western missionaries coming to Siam were
mainly Portuguese and Spanish. Later in the reign of King Narai the Great,
the Vatican had established the Congregation for Dissemination which was
directly responsible for the dissemination of Christianity. This is due to the
conflict regarding way of practice under patronage of Portugal and Spain.
To avoid such conflict, the Pop needs to find a way for religion propagation
in their own direction.

2

1 Jesus Christ was sentenced to execution by being stretched upon
the cross until death The Abbreviation of I.N.R.I is from the Latin
phrase ‘Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum’ meaning ‘Jesus of Nazareth,
King of the Jews,’ inside the Santa Cruz Church, Bangkok
2 The sculpture of Jesus, inside the Santa Cruz Church, Bangkok

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