Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides News Agency) - "It was with profound joy that we presented Cardinal Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, with the sealed documents signed in a solemn ceremony in Phnom Penh. These documents pertain to the diocesan investigation into the beatification and canonization of Bishop Joseph Salas and his eleven companions, the Martyrs of Cambodia. These sealed documents contain a precious testimony of faith, courage, and love: nearly 2,500 pages that recount the heroic journey of these men and women in Cambodia between 1970 and 1977," Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, told Fides on the sidelines of the ad limina visit of the Bishops of Laos and Cambodia in Rome.
The Vicar explains: “These documents not only record their lives and their sacrifice, but they are also a priceless spiritual heritage for the Church and the world.”
The local Church officially opened the diocesan inquiry into the Cambodian martyrs on May 15, 2015. Since then, a team led by the postulator, Father Paul Chatserey, has been collecting testimonies and documents from around the world. The team included other priests from the Diocesan Tribunal, the Promoter of Justice, notaries, and a Historical Commission chaired by Father Vincent Chrétienne.
“Bishop Yves Ramousse, who loved and knew these future martyrs so well, played a crucial role in compiling the initial list,” Bishop Schmitthaeusler continued. “The research and compilation led to the current presentation of twelve Servants of God: Bishop Joseph Chhmar Salas and his eleven companions—priests, religious, and lay people—who represent the richness of the People of God.” Upon handing over the documents to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the Vicar expressed his hope that “the examination and discernment may continue so that these martyrs may soon be presented to the universal Church as a gift and a shining witness.” In an interview with Fides, the postulator, Father Paul Chatserey, who is also the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Cambodia and Laos, recalls: “The initial impetus to research the stories of the Cambodian martyrs came from Pope John Paul II, who, in the Jubilee Year 2000, called upon the Asian churches in all countries to recognize and commemorate their martyrs.” Pope John Paul II said: “These servants of God […] form a great fresco of Christian humanity […] It is the fresco of the Beatitudes, lived to the point of shedding blood.” “
In this spirit, the Cambodian Church erected a memorial to the martyrs; we built a cross and a small shrine. Since then, an annual commemoration of the martyrs has been held, bringing together believers from all over the country,” he explains.
“Gradually, awareness grew, and we began to collect materials, documents, and testimonies. This was very difficult because, during the dark years of the war and the Khmer Rouge, the churches, along with all their documents, were destroyed,” the postulator explains. “We armed ourselves with patience and began to collect oral testimonies. Then we received great help and invaluable support from the archives of the Society for Foreign Missions in Paris. Thus, the work grew slowly and with difficulty, and finally, after years of work, study, and research, we succeeded in gathering enough material to advance the process for Bishop Salas and eleven companions.” “Now,” he declares, “our Church in Cambodia rejoices. The spirituality and inspiration of the martyrs are of great importance; they are a great encouragement to us. Our communities will now unite in prayer so that, thanks to the work in the Vatican, the cause may progress according to God’s plan.” “At the same time, we will continue to raise awareness, especially among young people, of the story of our martyrs by publishing brochures and organizing cultural, catechetical, and prayer events. We hope and pray that their example will bear fruit and bring grace and holiness to our small Church for the future,” he concludes. (PA) (Fides News Agency, 28/5/2026)
