Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – Saint Paul, model of the missionary for the youth of today: this is the theme of the “Youth Synod” for the Year of St. Paul, which is being held in the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh. As Agenzia Fides was informed by local Church sources, over 300 youth from 38 parishes came together for four days to “discover Saint Paul in this year dedicated to him,” in an activity led by the Apostolic Vicar Bishop Emile Destombes.
In the Opening Mass, Bishop Destombes mentioned that the youth “are not only the future of the Church, but also the present, and our strength of today,” encouraging them to “preach the Gospel without fear, just like the Apostle Paul.”
There were catechism classes on the life, Letters, and travels of the Apostle, and the youth later reflected on how they could carry on this missionary spirit of Saint Paul in their present situation.
A proposal has also been made to organize a special missionary group within the parishes and promote new evangelization activities among the youth.
The activities for the Year of Saint Paul, officially proclaimed in communion with the universal Church on June 29, 2008, have begun to take shape. The Vicariate has prepared a pamphlet on the Apostle and has distributed 5,000 copies already. There will also be survey done, of the local Church, to evaluate the last 20 years of evangelization in the Vicariate (since the return of the missionaries in 1989) and to highlight the priorities in the spreading of the Gospel. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2008)
