|
| |
BUILDING UP THE DIOCESAN TEAM
 There have
been annual gatherings of pastoral workers of the diocese. These meetings serve
mainly to orient the new personnel, but they are also occasions for building
solidarity among diocesan workers and as an aid to planning.
Over the
past years the number of priests in the diocese has grown from two to 15. The
priests comprise: Two Cambodian diocesan priests: Fr. Tonlop Sophal, Vicar
General of Battambang, and Fr. Nget Viney, who was ordained in December 2001;
two Yurumal priests from Colombia; two Salesians of Don Bosco; two PIME Priests
from Italy; one Italian diocesan priest and eight Jesuits: two from Indonesia,
two from the Philippines, two from India, one from Korea and Msgr. Enrique
Figaredo from Spain.
There are members of other religious communities assisting in various social and
pastoral programs.
Nearly a year and half already in Cambodia, I am the latest to arrive
and join the group of about 15 priests who are serving the diocese of
Battambang. The diocese itself spreads over a very wide area, enclosing
the Tonle Sap and covering about half the land area of Cambodia. At
present, its team of ministers includes nuns, priests, scholastics, and
many lay co-workers, all coming from Cambodia as well as from many
different and diverse countries. Together, the Church provides
socio-pastoral services to God’s people, especially the poor and in
need, whether Catholic or Buddhist. These services may come in the form
of formal sacraments, or education by way of schools and scholarships,
or support for Khmer culture such as traditional dances, or through many
other informal sacraments.
Supported and animated by our bishop, Kike, he invites all who have a
heart for the poor and a smile on their face to come and serve God’s
people here. It is a very young and dynamic diocese, thus having great
potential for growth into other areas of service, such as the
environment, formal education, etc. With Christ, the Church here in the
diocese of Battambang tries to be a balm for a people that has
experienced much suffering and loss, and to slowly encourage and empower
all of us towards a future of peace and joy.
Gabriel
Lamug-Nañawa, SJ |
Women Religious
include the Sisters of the Providence de Portieux, who implement a variety of
programs on behalf of the Jesuit Service Cambodia; the Daughters of Charity of
St. Vincent de Paul; the Thai Missionary Society; the Salesian Sisters of Don
Bosco; the Sisters of the Infant-Jesus of Chauffailles; the Missionaries of
Charity; the Missionary Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the Sisters
Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sisters of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
Twinning with East Anglia
and Hiroshima diocese
The diocese of Battambang is twinned with the diocese of East Anglia in the
United Kingdom and with the Hiroshima diocese in Japan. This means praying for
each other and helping each other's mission with material help, friendship and
annual visits. A special bond unites the diocese of Battambang with Taizé,
through the friendship and annual visit of Br. Ghislain.
|
 Battambang
in Cambodia and East Anglia in the United Kingdom are over 9000 km apart,
but our two dioceses have been growing together in close friendship (mittapheap)
since 2004. This is especially a friendship between the bishops, priests,
parishes and young people of our two Catholic communities. We have
visited each other, sent cards to each other, prayed for each other,
sent gifts to each other.
This friendship means
a great deal to the Catholics of East Anglia. We are inspired by the
history, witness and life of Catholics in Cambodia. Our young people who
visit you come back stronger in their faith. Our parishes linked with
your parishes are enriched by your example. Your prayer for us is a
great source of strength for all of us. I hope that for many years we
will walk together in faith and love, and that our friendship will
support and strengthen each other.
Bishop Michael Evans
of East Anglia |
|
 Our
lives are always a history of encounters. This makes us value friends,
value relationships and be thankful for them. So is it with the
encounter of Japan and Cambodia, of Hiroshima Tokyo with Battambang. It
is such an encounter which is special and makes us happy, full of hope
and full of the spirit of gratitude. We have many reasons to give thanks
for our friends in Japan. They have shown so much concern combined with
so much kindness, solidarity and support. A great number of projects
have been implemented for the needs of little ones especially in
education. More than 10 schools and Kindergartens are serving today our
children thanks to this special relationship which is build in trust,
love, service and caring for the little ones. “Korokara arigato!!”
|
Catholic partner
organisations include:
-
 Caritas:
in Battambang, Siem Reap and Kompong Thom.
-
Auxiliare de
l´Apostolat: in Siem Reap.
-
Don Bosco: in Battambang and Poipet.
-
Japan Lay Missionary Movement:
in Kompong Luong (Pursat)
-
New Humanity: in Kompong
Chhnang.
-
Jesuit Service Cambodia:
JS Cambodia is the Diocese´s main partner, given its experience and presence
in the area for many years. Through its Meta Karuna centres in Battambang,
Siem Reap, Sisophon and Kompong Thom, it offers expertise in the education
field and in the outreach to families in need and people with disabilities.
It also provides human and material resources, namely wheel chairs which are
manufactured in its Banteay Prieb centre; assistance for the hearing program;
and logistical support such as visa arrangements or registration of vehicles.
|
 The
diocese also works in collaboration with NGOs present in north-west
Cambodia, namely:
-
Emergency:
Its surgical centre in Battambang provides surgical assistance free
of charge to the victims of war including mine casualties, and other
reconstructive and general surgery. Emergency also supports five
first aid posts in the Samlot area. In the past years, there has
been a growing trend in car accidents.
-
Handicap International:
Runs programs in physical rehabilitation, socio-economic integration,
data collection, capacity-building and awareness raising on the
rights and needs of persons with disabilities. In Battambang, it
supports the government-run Para-Tetra Rehabilitation Centre, a
spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit.
-
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Its
Regional Rehabilitation Centre in Battambang provides physiotherapy,
prosthesic/orthotic devices, walking aids and wheelchairs.
|
|
