On the occasion of the recent Chinese and Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebrations and in the presence of a large number of Catholics, on 26 February 2020 at St. Francis Xavier’ church (Wat Champa) Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, requested Catholics and religious both females and males, whose roles in serving the pastoral sector of the Mekong River, to pay attention to the unfortunate with Cambodian heroes as examples.

In his homily, the bishop instructed them, especially the religious who live in Cambodia to follow the example of hero Jayavarman VII with compassion because Jayavarman VII had united his people to have peace in practicing religion. He was the King who had reached out to the people. He had built the infrastructures to develop the country in all sectors with hospitals that carried generous activities for the unfortunate in society.

The bishop said: “Let us open our eyes to look at Cambodian heroes and saints as models for us to live in peace.  God is with us and we do have hope ahead, only if we take root in prayers and reciting the Rosary.”

During this New Year celebrations, besides the instructions, the bishop further said: “Brothers and sisters, please pay attention to your families and love

them and forgive one another.  Children, please obey your parents and parents also have to understand about their children, for families to have happiness.”