CAMBODIA Catholic Communities Share Experiences, Challenges, Encouragement

Posted: 18th July 2007

Father Totel Banaynal leads a prayer before layleaders start their meeting in Battambang

BATTAMBANG, Cambodia (UCAN) -- Lay Catholics, Church workers and leaders of Battambang prefecture met recently to share experiences and encourage each other in their mission of bearing witness to the Good News.

"Whenever we serve others, we do it in faith," Monsignor Enrique Figaredo, who heads the prefecture, told the July 10-12 gathering in Battambang, 250 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh. More than half the 130 participants were young people.

The meeting, on the theme "Communion and Service," is the second of what the prefecture intends as biannual meetings. The first was held in 2005.

Speaking on July 11, Monsignor Figaredo asked the participants to serve others in compassion for the love of God. The Spanish Jesuit apostolic prefect also asked them to read and learn from the Gospel.

Besides tending to the spiritual needs of Catholics scattered among the 95 percent of Cambodians who are Buddhists, the small Catholic Church in Cambodia engages in social work, assisting poor, sick and disabled people as well as students.

It faces many challenges, as pointed out by Khem Pong, a lay leader from Pursat province. When the local Catholic community offers assistance to poor people, he said, some villagers accuse the Catholics of trying to convert the beneficiaries. Some other Christians insult Catholics, added Pong, 67.

Chhoun Sokhorn, 49, is the only Catholic in her community in an area prone to flooding near Siem Reap. She said many villagers insult her and discriminate against her. "Sometimes I feel hopeless and ask myself whether I should continue (being Catholic) or not," she shared.

Gathering with other Catholics, however, countered those feelings. "I really thank God for this meeting. It has helped me to be strong in living my faith," she said.

Similarly Tang Kuy, a lay leader from a community near the Thai border, said the meeting encouraged him to continue the Church's mission.

Father Tun Lop Sophal encouraged the participants by pointing out that many people appreciate the Catholic Church's social involvement. "We are glad to be servants answering God's call," he said.

Battambang prefecture, one of three Church territories in Cambodia, covers eight provinces -- Banteay Mean Chey, Battambang, Kompong Chhnang, Kompong Thorn, Oddar Mean Chey, Preah Vihear, Pursat, Siem Reap -- and Pailin city. It has about 7,000 Catholics, most of them ethnic Vietnamese, in 26 communities.

The meeting delegates jointly resolved to focus on 10 values for personal development: love, modesty, patience, joyfulness, honesty, generosity, humility, zealousness, solidarity and prayerfulness.

In a statement elaborating on these values, they promised to "love without expecting to be loved back."

They resolved not to despair when facing challenges, and to be patient in serving marginalized people with generosity, joy and compassion, and without looking to be "honored and praised" in society.

Furthermore, the Catholics promised to do "little works" of charity, and to manifest themselves as a "unique community." Finally they resolved to draw their strength from God through prayer.
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Article Source: UCAN