PHNOM PENH: August 8, 2014 --During the first 6 day
animation visit to the THA – Cambodia Delegation, erected
by the Rector Major upon the request of the THA provincial
with the first Delegate Superior appointed on February 19,
2014 by Fr Chávez, the Regional Councillor EAO visited
almost all presences in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville,
Battambang and Poipet. The most important day was August
6, one full day with all 8 SDB living and working in
Cambodia currently (8 other SDBs are now studying abroad –
2 in Thailand, Sampran, 2 in Manila, Paranaque, 1 in
Melbourne, Australia, 3 on family visit to their
respective homelands – Philippines, Ethiopia and
Korea).
Fr. Roel Soto, is the first Superior of the Cambodia
Delegation. During the Recollection which focused on the
spirit of GC27 (Witnessing), and as part of the assembly
of confreres, Fr Klement listened to all dreams and
challenges of the incipient Delegation, which is the
result of the hard work and commitment over 25 years of
many pioneer missionaries for the youth of Cambodia.
[At the moment the EAO region has other 3 Delegations: the
oldest Delegation in FIN: PNG-SI since 2005, the
VIE-Mongolia Delegation since 2009, the ITM-Indonesia
Delegation since 2010].
At present there are 16 SDBs, 24 FMAs, 6 SIHM Sisters,
about 24 Salesian Cooperators, some 900 registered Past
Pupils of Don Bosco, two incoming VDB aspirants and FMA
Past Pupils in the Delegation. This rich vocational growth
is a mirror of the young and dynamic Cambodian Catholic
community which has emerged from the ashes with the help
of many missionaries from far and wide, As is also the
case in Laos, there are no dioceses as yet in Cambodia.
Phnom Penh is a Vicariate and Battambang and Kompong-Cham
are Prefectures. Altogether there are some 75 priests – 5
of them local Khmer. There are many religious, missionary
societies and already a few thousand young
Catholics.
Among the consecrated groups of the Salesian Family we
find already 2 Khmer SDBs, 2 FMA Sisters, 1 SIHM Sister
and 1 novice, 2 VDB aspirants and a dynamic Past Pupils of
DB group with very committed leadership (some 900 past
pupils out of a total 9000+ are already registered with
the national Alumni office). The five batches of recently
promised Salesian Cooperators (the first group was in
2008) bring the more
complete face of Don Bosco to the Salesian
mission in the country.
In the five SDB settings: Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kep,
Battambang and Poipet, there are hundreds of
committed teachers, most of them past pupils, teaching
more than 2000 students.
Although there are only two canonical communities (Phnom
Penh and Sihanoukville), the Salesian mission is carried
out by many Lay Mission Partners – 10+ expatriate
volunteers, two diocesan priests (one who has, in the
meantime, become a Salesian Cooperator and Coordinator of
the ACS Centre in Phnom Penh. See photo above) and many
past pupils who have deeply identified with Don Bosco and
his mission.
Although there are many challenges in the fast-changing
Cambodian social, economic and religious situation, the
profile of Salesian works has remained alert to this
fast-shifting reality. The youthful composition of
teachers, other educators – among them many
young, recently baptized Catholics – is a great asset!
The Delegation is planning to bring everyone together for
a 3 day celebration at the end of January 2015, in Phnom
Penh. They foresee the presence of Church and civil
authorities, 4,000 or more past pupils (sdb and fma) and
all seven groups of the Salesian Family in the country.
