Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - “My heart is filled with gratitude to God our Father for this day and this opportunity to visit your noble country, Cambodia, and to celebrate with you this Eucharist to offer thanks to God and sing together the praises of the Lord in his infinite mercy”. These sentiments were expressed by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples when he arrived in Cambodia yesterday 1 December. After a meeting with the Catholic clergy, men and women religious, missionaries and laity, the Cardinal paid a visit to the Genocide Memorial Social Centre. This morning, 2 December, Cardinal Sepe presided Mass in the courtyard of the major seminary attended by the Rector, teaching staff, seminarians and a group of lay people.
Reflecting in his homily on the Gospel of Matthew (15,32): “I feel compassion for this crowd”, the Cardinal said: “The Lord could say this about us today... we are all in need of his mercy, his love and infinite compassion, forgiveness for our sins”. After conveying to those present the affectionate greetings and blessing of the Pope which he extended to all the families and the entire community, the Cardinal Prefect traced a brief history of evangelisation in Cambodia.
“The first Christians and the first missionary priest who came from the Philippines and Portugal, landed here more than 400 years ago carrying with them the Good News - Cardinal Sepe said -. Later in 1665, came the Fathers of the Paris Foreign Missions to whom the Congregation de Propaganda Fide entrusted the mission in Cambodia. The mission experienced times of peace and growth but also sad events. Nonetheless divine mercy is stronger than any evil man can imagine and commit to exterminate his fellowmen and women and the Church. Today we rejoice because not only have expelled missionaries returned, but many more of various institutes have come with new ardour to help rebuild this local Church”.
The fruits of this humble, discrete and tenacious work, undertaken with love and sacrifice by so many missionaries, are clearly visible today: 21,000 Catholics; 5 local priests, numerous men and women missionaries of various nationalities and religious congregations . “The Church in Cambodia is risen ! May God be praised and thanked for the mercy and love he continues to show to this nation and its Church!” Cardinal Sepe exclaimed.
The Prefect of the Missionary department voiced gratitude on behalf of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples to missionaries, lay faithful and all who devote their lives to the cause of the people and the Church in Cambodia and “for their loyalty to the Church and the Apostolic See”. The Pope, the Holy See and the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples “are aware of the pastoral difficulties you experience every day and they support you in your efforts - the Cardinal assured those present -. Do not be afraid to bear witness to Christ and to his Gospel in your daily life... The Church in Cambodia is still a small minority compared with the large majority of Khmer brothers and sisters who have still to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. This situation calls us to take our missionary duty towards our non Christian brothers and sisters seriously” he added.
Christian formation, sanctification of the family, formation of youth, promotion of vocations, evangelisation, devotion to the Eucharist, particularly in this Year of the Eucharist, were the priority objectives for the Church in Cambodia indicated by Cardinal Sepe, who launched one final appeal to young people: “Listen to the voice of Jesus who speaks to your heart, in prayer at Communion: be generous and answer Him, follow Him, carry on His mission of salvation in this land”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 2/12/2004; righe 48; parole 692)
