“One Large Family”: First pastoral gathering in Siam Reap, Cambodia

In northwestern Cambodia in Siem Reap, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler and Coadjutor Bishop Peter Hangly Suon organized a gathering in the Sokha Siem Reap Hotel for two days on February 5-6 for pastoral workers.

About 600 participants attended the celebration which includes priests, religious men and women, parish staffs and representatives from the 10 pastoral centers: North of Phnom Penh, South of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh Thmey, Sihanoukville–Koh Kong, Kampot–Kep, Takeo, Holy Way, Mekong River, Bassac River, and Ta Khmau.

Bishop Schmitthaeusler presided over a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving and Bishop Hangly concelebrated. In his homily, Bishop Schmitthaeusler emphasized the essential role of these pastoral workers and religious in the ministry of the Church, which includes “education, healthcare, the arts, human development, eco-tourism, and social communications.”

He said, “Our unique role is to guide and nurture the spirit, soul, and heart of the people entrusted to us, including ourselves.” He continued, “We do this by showing love and empathy in truth, so that each person can take responsibility for their own life.”

As part of their program, the participants visited Angkor Wat, a World Heritage site and one of Cambodia’s most treasured cultural legacies. At the end of the day, they had an evening program with presentations from the 10 pastoral centers, highlighting “the Church’s presence in education, human resource development, charitable works, youth and adolescent ministry, Catholic media, faith formation, and the arts.”