By Fr. Alberio Rodas, SDB
Cambodia SC Delagate
KEP, Cambodia, 28 January 20210 -- The Solemnity of Saint Francis de Sales marked the start of the countdown to the 30th anniversary of the Salesians in Cambodia. The countdown was activitated on this link between January 24 and May 24. In order to open officially the countdown to the event, the Cambodia Delegation published the first Khmer Salesian Bulletin that will be on paper by January 31, but on issuu. They also launched the video series to portray the presence of the Salesians since 1991 and even before in the Cambodian refugee camps on the Thai border (1988). There will be a video every month in 2021, starting with the greetings of the superiors that includes the Rector Major, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Bishop Enrique Figaredo, Salesian Bishop Prathan Sridarunsil, former EAO regional Fr. Klement Vaclav and THA Provincial Fr. Depharat Pitisant.
Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime sent his greetings to the Salesians in Cambodia from the Don Bosco's rooms (the Museo-Casa Don Bosco) to congratulate the perseverance of the mission in the Southeast Asian country for the last 30 years.
The Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, Mgr. Olivier Schmitthaeusler, who belongs to the Paris Foreign Missions Society, underlined the humble beginnings of Don Bosco in Cambodia to become a great organisation to prepare young people for the best of the society and for the unity of the Catholic Church.
The Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, Mgr. Enrique Figaredo, who is a Jesuit, reminded of the cooperation between the Salesians and the Jesuits since the time of the refugee camps and how both religious orders entered Cambodia together.
The Salesian Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil of the diocese of Surat Thani, Thailand, was THA provincial twice and he was one of the main encouragers of the Salesian Mission in Cambodia.
Fr. Klement Vaclav, former EAO regional, was another key leader in the constitution of the Salesian Delegation of Cambodia.
Fr. Depharat Pitisant sent a greeting of motivation to continue without fear, move by hope, even during this time of covid pandemic and to stay at the side of the Cambodian youth.
His Holiness Pope Francis, through Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam, Apostolic Nuntio, sent his holy blessings to the Salesians of Don Bosco in Cambodia.
