Huge Gathering Of Parishoners Of The A.Vicariate Of Phnom Penh

Posted: 23rd April 2008

Bishop. Emile Destombes

Phnom Penh(C.S.C) -- Following the theme of the Asia Mission Congress held in Cheang Mai, Thailand, in October, 2006 the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh has adopted as the main topic for the pastoral reflections: "Telling the Story of Jesus in our lives".

Every month the parishioners and the different apostolic groups have gone through a process of Gospel reflections on related issues that concluded with a large gathering of the faithful of the 37 local communities of the Vicariate, on March 30, 2008. Nearly 4,500 Catholics came together to share their reflections and faith experiences at Don Bosco Vocational Training School in Phnom Penh Thmai.

The main purpose of this big encounter was to have a full day for a common reflection and evaluation of the pastoral activities of the Vicariate and to share personal experi
ences following the main subject: “Telling the Story of Jesus in our lives”.

Father Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Vicar delegate of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh and director of this Ecclesial meeting, told CSC reporter that this is the first time that the Apostolic Vicariate celebrates an event of this kind, inviting all the faithful of the different parishes and local communities to join together. “It was not simply for the leaders or representatives of each community, but for all the faithful”, emphasized Fr. Olivier and added how this event “was a powerful sign of solidarity as a family of love.”

Throughout the day the participants had the opportunity to share their faith experiences, to pray together, to express the love for each other, to enjoy the different drama performances, the songs led by different groups, the traditional dances and the exhibition of posters about the activities of each local community.

Telling the Story of Jesus in our lives

Msgr. Emile Destombes, MEP, the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh stressed the importance of this gathering as a means to receive encouragement from each other. It is specially important for the new followers, the catechumens and the newly Baptized for them to realize that they are not alone. “They know now, for sure, that we are a big family”, said Msgr. Destombes.




Mr. Leap Chhai Yain, a participant from Sihanoukville Parish, who received the sacrament of Baptism on the Easter of the year 2007, said to CSC reporter that “it was a great experience for me that helped me to open my eyes and to be aware of the many activities of the Church”. He added that it was a very good occasion for him to meet new friends and to meet some of his former friends here and to realize that they share with him the same faith in Jesus Christ as Catholics.

“This was, really, a joyful experience for me”, expressed Chhai Yain. He explained that for him to have become a Christian Catholic has not been very easy because some neighbors still look very bad at him and sometimes yield insults to him, such as “You! who feel so proud to be an intellectual! Why did you change of religion! You, fool!”. Chhai Yain said that usually he does not answer to these insults, because they do not matter to him. “I am not afraid, because I know that Jesus is my refuge”.

During the celebration of the Mass several Christians shared their faith experience as Catholics in front of the assembly, giving an especial solemnity and deepness to the ceremony. Bishop Emile Destombes, during his homily, encouraged the crowd to continue their journey as witnesses of God’s love in the Cambodian society.

The Holy See created the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh in the year 1850. On September 23, 1968 the Holy See divided the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh into three Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions: The Apostolic Vicariate of P. Penh and the Apostolic Prefectures of Battambang and Kompong Cham.

The Apostolic Vicariate of P.Penh, with 37 parishes and local Catholic Communities and with a population of 13,085 Catholic, s covers these regions: Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kep, Kandal ,Takeo, Kampot, Kompong Speu and Koh Kong.

Article Source: Catholic Social Communications,Cambodia