Bishop Emile Destombes was orn August 15, 1935 at Roncq in France, he joined the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP) and made his studies at the Seminary of Paris Foreign Missions and at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Ordained priest on December 21, 1961, he came to Cambodia in 1964. He was later consecrated Bishop of the See of Altava and took care of the Phnom Penh Apostolic Vicariate as Coadjutor of the Apostolic Vicar on October 5, 1997.

On April 14, 2001 Bishop Emile Destombes took charge of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, after the succession of Bishop Yves Ramousse.

Father Olivier Schmitthaeusler was born on 26/06/1970 . He was ordained on 28 06 1998, dioces of incardination Strasbourg(France)

Address: Takeo and Kompot
P.O. Box 123-Phnom Penh Phone: (855) 12-824-253
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Bishop Joseph Chhmar Salas was born in 1940 in Phnom Penh. He made his theology studies in Paris, and was ordained priest in 1964. He was entrusted with a school at Battambang to train Catechists. He was consecrated bishop on April 14, 1975 and took charge as Coadjutor-Bishop to Bishop Yves Ramousse. On April 18, 1975 he was obliged to join the work force at Taing Kauk. He died at the Pagoda of Taing Kauk in September 1977.

Bishop Ramousse was born on February 23, 1928 in Sambadel, France. He joined the Paris Foreign Missions Society and made his studies at the Gregorian University in Rome and at the Catholic University in Paris. Ordained priest on April 4, 1953 he was later consecrated bishop of the See of Pisita and took care of Phnom Penh in the Kingdom of Cambodia as Apostolic Vicar on February 24, 1963.

Forced to leave Cambodia on April 30, 1975 he resigned in 1976 to be succeded by Bishop Chhmar Salas. On February 6, 1983 after the death of bishop Chhmar Salas, the Holy See put him in charge of all the Khmer Catholic living in different countries, and of the whole Cambodia. On July 25, 1992 the Holy See reappointed him as Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh. On December 21, 1992 he was made administrator of Battambang until 2000. He retired on April 14 th, 2001. Between 1983 and 1992, the Holy See intrusted to Bishop Yves Ramousse the care of all Khmer catholics, irrespective of their countries of residence.

...Last updated 12/11/2007