Catholic communities are scattered around this Buddhist country. To give a greater sense of unity of priests with their bishops, the three dioceses of Cambodia held the Chrism Mass together in Phnom Penh at the Phsar Tauch Church on Wednesday, March 12. Bishop Emile Destombes (Phnom Penh Vicariate), Msgr Anthonysamy Susairaj (Kampong Cham Prefecture) and Msgr Kike Figaredo, SJ (Battambang Prefecture) led their priests in the celebration of the mass. This was followed by a meeting for all the priests at the Phsar Tauch Church. Fr Dan Ross, from Fu Jen University in Taiwan, visited Cambodia from March 12 – 16. He attended the inauguration of the Primary School of Beng Ktum Village, Banteay Meanchey Province on March 14. The 3-classroom school was a donation from former students of Fr Dan Ross.
Battambang Prefecture, where the Jesuits have a special responsibility, celebrated the Passion of Christ in a very dramatic way. Fr Gabby Lamug-Nañawa (PHI) took the role of Jesus in the enactment of the Passion. The huge cross was made from heavy Cambodian wood, and Fr Gabby’s experience of “Simon of Cyrene” helping him carry the cross was a most deep consolation. Having a Jesuit priest in the role of Jesus carrying the cross told the people how closely we seek to emulate Christ in his suffering and in his resurrection.
A group of Cambodian youth dancers from the Church at Tahen, Battambang Prefecture, goes on a tour of Australia as part of the run-up to World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. Msgr Kike Figaredo (CAS) leads the group to perform in Sydney (March 27 – 28), Brisbane (April 1 – 2), Adelaide (April 4 – 5) and Melbourne (April 8 – 9) before joining the World Youth Day. The tour is organized by MAGiS08 and Jesuit Mission of Australia.