After an arduous search, the Cambodia Mission was able to purchase a piece of land (1,218 square meters) at Phnom Penh Thmey for the building of a Jesuit House in Phnom Penh. The funds were provided by JCEAO last year, but with the escalating property prices in Phnom Penh, the search had to go beyond the city boundary.
Fr Matthias Chae, Provincial of Korea Province, made his annual visitation to the Cambodia Mission from December 2 – 8. In addition to the Manifestation of Conscience by the Jesuits in the mission, team members of the Jesuit Service Cambodia also met with him individually. The meetings were held at the Jesuit house in Phnom Penh for those in Phnom Penh and Banteay Prieb, and at the Battambang Prefecture for those in the northern part of Cambodia. This was followed by a general meeting with all gathered at these two places.
The vocational training offered by Jesuit Service at Banteay Prieb (Centre of the Dove) for disabled survivors of landmines and polio has received national recognition. The curriculum of the Centre has been adopted as accredited curriculum by all training centres in Cambodia and the Ministry of Social Action is promoting its use among governors and stakeholders in each province.
Regent Matthew Tan (MAS) wrote from Cambodia: “I arrived safely on Thursday (28 June) night…with showers of blessings. Cleared Immigration easily, but did not get the NGO visa (they do not even understand their own system). Had dinner with the Jesuits in the house, but my stomach did not agree with the food, so I had stomach problem the whole night. I am settling in, but my stomach is lagging behind. Am getting better. Will be spending these few days settling in and knowing the vicinity before going around to our missions in and outside Phnom Penh.
Last March 22, Fr Gabriel Byong-young Je, Delegate of Korea Provincial in Cambodia, wrote, “On the feast of St. Joseph, the Jesuit Service team celebrated a mass of welcome for me as the delegate of the Korean Provincial at Banteay Prieb, the Centre of the Dove. At the same time, the team thanked Fr. Greg Priyadi of the Indonesian Province for acting as local superior before I arrived. It is a particular joy for me to discover here companions from my regency days in Site 2, so many years ago, like Sr. Denise, Sr. Ath, Msgr. Kike and Fr. Ashley.
Fr. Gabriel Je Byong-young (KOR), is now in Cambodia to begin his duties as Korea Provincial’s Delegate. The effectivity of Fr Je’s appointment will be on March 19, the Feast of St Joseph, the Family Man.
On December 5, Fr Matthias Chae received Fr General’s approval for him (Fr Chae) to appoint Fr Gabriel Byong-young JE as Korea Provincial’s Delegate for Cambodia. Fr Je visited Cambodia last December 11-22. The effectivity of Fr Je’s appointment will be on March 19, the Feast of St Joseph, the Family Man.
There are now eight groups, five student groups and three groups of ex-students most of whom are working. The first group started in 1999. While the groups are young and fragile, there are some very dynamic young Cambodian Christians involved. There are also some Korean Jesuits, diocesan priests, a Filipino sister and a Hong Kong lay missionary involved as guides.
Fr Totet Banaynal writes from Cambodia, “I am back to my base here in Battambang as parish priest. Things are going OK. After the Tertianship and after four years of knowing and living with the people here, I feel like I am able to plan things out and be more proactive in the works. [Msgr.] Kike appointed me… as the General Vicar for the prefecture. As General Vicar, I will be looking after the finance and relation with donors, establishment and direction of the pastoral center for the ‘Diocese,’ relations with other religions (Buddhists and Muslims).