Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand

History of the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand

CICIAMS stands for Comité International Catholique des Infirmières et Assistantes Médico-Sociales (International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants). It is an organization comprising Catholic nurses, midwives, public health officers, and medical personnel.  The Catholic Nurses’ Guild operates under the authority of the Holy See in Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

  1. To promote education and academic advancement of nurses and nursing education;
  2. To encourage and support the development of competent, high quality Catholic nurses;
  3. To foster harmonious and positive relationships among Catholic nurses from different countries; and
  4. To provide support for nurses in underdeveloped countries.

CICIAMS sent an invitation letter to establish a Catholic nursing group in Thailand through Fr. Sigmund Joseph Laschenski, a Jesuit priest, who then reached out to Fr. Marino Carli, the Superior of Camillian Hospital.  However, Fr. Carli declined the proposal as the hospital only had one Catholic nurse, Ms. Theresa Angoon Vacharatith, which made forming the guild unfeasible.  Fr. Carli sought advice from Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu (the first Cardinal of Thailand) who endorsed and approved the establishment of the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand. The Guild was officially founded at Saint Louis Hospital in 1973 (B.E. 2516).  The founding members are as follows:

  1. Boonlert Tharachat, Spritual Director, the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand
  2. Angoon Vacharatith, President of the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand
  3. A nursing representative from Camillian Hospital, Bangkok
  4. A nursing representative from St. Mary’s Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima
  5. A nursing representative from Saint Louis Hospital, Bangkok
  6. A nursing representative from Mission Hospital, Bangkok
  7. A nursing representative from Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok
  8. A nursing representative from Chulalongkorn Hospital, Bangkok
  9. A nursing representative from Taksin Hospital, Bangkok
  10. A nursing representative from Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok

After establishing the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand, the group became a member of CICIAMS. Members from all countries are required to pay an annual membership fee to support the organization’s operations. CICIAMS organizes academic conferences and member gatherings every four years.  These include the World Congress, held every four years, and Regional Conference, also held every four years.  The two types of conference alternate, ensuring there is a Catholic nurses’ meeting every two years. Therefore, after a World Congress, a Regional Conference is held two years later.  This alternation structure fosters regular engagement and collaboration among Catholic nurses globally.

  1. Organizing Catholic Nurses’ Guild meetings on the first Sunday of every month.
  2. Conducting at least one annual retreat, inviting Catholic priests to give sermons and facilitate spiritual sharing.
  3. Providing health check-ups and special clinic services at the Mercy Center in Klong Toei community (led by Fr. Joseph Maier) every Saturday
  4. Participating in activities with Fr. Tukato to assist the underprivileged in Ladprao area on the first Saturday of each month.
  5. Engaging in activities to support people with disabilities in Rangsit area.

Each meeting is supported by contributions from the Cardinal, Bishops, Priests, and donations from guild members.

Thailand has occasionally participated in both regional and global CICIAMS conferences.  A significant milestone occurred in 1997 when Thailand hosted the 7th Asian Regional Conference of CICIAMS under the theme, “Caring: A Path to Health and Healing.”  The conference took place from November 9 to 13, 1997, at the Asia Hotel in Bangkok with Ms. Angoon Vacharatith as the President of the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand, Sr. Adela Pisutsinthop as the Chair of the Organizing Committee, and Sr. Magdalena Daodee as the Head of the Academic and Conference Management Committee.

The Conference was supported by Fr. Chaiya Kitsawat, Chairman of Saint Louis Hospital Board as well as the Saint Louis Hospital and Saint Louis College personnel who played an important role in organizing the event.

The conference was highly successful, with 392 participants from 23 countries, including 305 international delegates, 37 Thai attendees and 50 Thai staff members. The participating countries and delegates are as follows:

  1. Australia: 9 participants
  2. Bangladesh: 7 participants
  3. Belgium: 7 participants
  4. Canada: 1 participant
  5. England: 1 participant
  6. Fiji: 2 participants (sponsored)
  7. Hong Kong: 14 participants
  8. India: 31 participants
  9. Indonesia: 10 participants
  10. Italy: 2 participants
  11. Japan: 28 participants
  12. Korea: 35 participants
  13. Malaysia: 49 participants
  14. The Netherlands: 1 participant
  15. Pakistan: 1 participant
  16. The Philippines: 63 participants
  17. Scotland: 3 participants
  18. Singapore: 18 participants
  19. Soth Africa: 9 participants
  20. Kenya: 7 participants
  21. Taiwan: 6 participants
  22. Vietnam: 1 participant
  23. Thailand: 37 participants

This conference demonstrated Thailand’s capability in hosting international gatherings and significantly contributed to fostering relationships among Catholic nurses worldwide.

After operating for many years, the Catholic Nurses Guild of Thailand actively served in the healthcare mission of the Catholic Church of Thailand alongside priests, doctors, and health professionals.  Fr. Chamnian Kitcharoen, then Chairman of Saint Louis Hospital Board and Spiritual Director of the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand, drafted the constitution for the guild.  He entrusted Sr. Magdalena Daodee, an administrator at Saint Louis College and a guild committee member, to publish the constitution in a form of portable booklet which became the foundational guideline for the guild’s operations.

In 1990 (B.E. 2533), Fr. Chamnian initiated the integration of the Catholic Medical Doctors’ Group, led by Dr. Riddhikrai Akaraskul and the Catholic Nurses’ Guild, led by Assistant Professor Dr. Suwanna Anusanti, into a single group.  These two groups had been working together consistently and later expanded by incorporating other healthcare professionals.  This new unified group was named the “Catholic Health Care Provider Group of Thailand.” The key leaders of the Association were Fr. Siranon Sangphet, the First Spiritual Director and Dr. Chawalit Chitranukroh, the First President of the Association.

In the same year, the group officially changed its name from the “Catholic Health Care Provider Group of Thailand” to the “Catholic Health Care Provider Association of Thailand” and extended its network to all dioceses in Thailand including:

  1. Archdiocese of Bangkok
  2. Archdiocese of Tharae-Nongsaeng
  3. Diocese of Chanthaburi
  4. Diocese of Ratchaburi
  5. Diocese of Nakhon Ratchasima
  6. Diocese of Nakhon Sawan
  7. Diocese of Chiang Mai
  8. Diocese of Udon Thani
  9. Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani
  10. Diocese of Surat Thani
  11. Diocese of Chiang Rai

On May 8, 2014, the Association was registered as a public interest organization, registration number 4071, to gain national recognition and facilitate better collaboration with government agencies.

As the Catholic Nurses’ Guild is the largest member group (as of 2025) within the Catholic Health Care Provider Association of Thailand, many of the association’s activities align with those of the guild.  Key activities include:

  1. Organizing member meetings at the parish, district and diocesan levels.
  2. Hosting spiritual retreats for the Catholic healthcare groups and providing training for diocesan-level members.
  3. Providing mobile healthcare services through the healthcare networks, during celebration of the faith community and on special celebratory occasions. These services include basic health check-up, distribution of menthol inhalers, face masks, and spiritual encouragement to patients, as well as home visits to provide care, counseling, sometimes with food and non-food items, especially to the elderly, the disabled, and the poor.
  4. Donating medicines, medical supplies, and financial aids to flood victims in collaboration with Diocesan health and elderly care networks in remote areas.
  5. Organizing volunteer activities at diocesan level by conducting integrated healthcare services including visits to and care for prisoners, the disabled, the poor, and the bedridden patients. Proving counseling and support to caregivers.  Collaborating with local government agencies, local health promotion hospitals/health units, and social development centers.
  6. Providing health promotion support in various elderly care initiatives such as senior citizen schools, elderly homes, and day care centers.
  7. Supporting the production of YouTube Channel “the Catholic Doctors” to spread health knowledge to the public.
  8. Assisting the Catholic Nurses’ Guild in organizing CICIAMS International Conference with Thailand as the host in 2026.
  9. Providing training for committee, members, volunteers, and leaders to enhance their skills and health-related knowledge.
  10. Promoting and publicizing activities through diocesan-level media and online platforms and disseminating health-related information and pastoral care with a focus on integrating spiritual dimensions into healthcare.

Contact us

Address

  • Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Thailand
  • 122/11 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, Soi Nonsi14, Nonsi Road, Chong Nonsi, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120 THAILAND