Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) - In October, the Bishops of the world will meet with the Holy Father at the Vatican, in order to reflect on the Word of God and its importance in the life of every Christian and in the mission of the Church. The theme for the 12th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is “The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church.” In preparation for this event, the Major Seminary of Phnom Penh recently organized a Seminar on the Word of God, based on the “Lineamenta” of the upcoming Synod.
The initiative was geared towards priests, religious, and lay missionaries of the Church in Cambodia. Fr. Bruno Cosme, Rector of the Major Seminary, invited Fr. Lucien Legrand, exegete and professor at the Major Seminary in Bagalore (India) and emeritus member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. Bishop Emile Destombes, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh and Monsignor Antonysamy Susairaj, Apostolic Prefect of Kompong Cham, also participated in the four-day Seminar.
In the talks, following the Lineamenta, all were able to come in contact with the Word of God, in the particular situation of Church in Cambodia. The themes proposed in the preparatory document for the Synod formed the basis of the reflection on the Word of God, in its profound relationship with the Liturgy, interreligious dialogue, inculturation, and the social activities of the Church in Cambodia.
In addition, every day of the Seminar, the workshops done in groups were an occasion for priests, religious, and laity to share their testimonies of how the Word of God is present in various aspects of their mission.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Cambodia and Laos elected Bishop Louis-Marie Linh, Vice-President and Apostolic Vicar of Pakse (Laos) as their representative for the Synod in October. Two priests from Laos participated in the Seminar, as well.
In light of the upcoming Synod of Bishops, the Major Seminary in Phnom Penh is preparing a special Summer Camp for children, in September, with the Word of God as its theme. The event will include close to 150 children and will be led by seminarians along with some 30 Catholic students who have also preparing themselves for the task. (PB) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2008; righe 29, parole 367)
