I. Address (cf. Phil 1:1-2)
Emile, a servant of Christ Jesus to all Christians in Christ Jesus, to all those who seek the Lord with faith and generosity, with their priests and their catechists. To all the missionary societies, religious congregations and lay people who work in proclaiming the Good News in the Apostolic Vicariate. of Phnom Penh.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

II. In thanksgiving and prayer (cf. Coll,3-13; 1 Thess 1.3)
I never cease to give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ by thinking about you in my prayers. What a long way since 1989 ! Your faith and your hope have allowed the gospel to flourish, the Word of Truth to be announced in the Vicariate of Phnom Penh. I give thanks in the presence of our God and Father for the work of your faith, the labor of your love, the constancy of your hope that are caused by our Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Wishes
A reading of the survey: 20 years of proclaiming the Good News, I would like to make three wishes:
1. Keeping unity in humility
We are 38 communities composed of Cambodian and Vietnamese Christians, spread over 5 provinces that cover our Vicariate, we are forty congregations of missionary priests, nuns and religious, lay communities including English, French and Korean communities!
This diversity calls us to keep unity in humility with "us the same feelings that are in Christ" (Phil 2:5). "Try to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph 4,3.5).
Brothers and sisters, each a manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common gbod (1 Cor 12:7), let us build our gifts in service to our small beloved Church.

2. Have a mind full of missionary charity
But we are called to' leave our churches and our homes, to open our doors and our heart.
"Proclaiming the Gospel in effect for me is not a titlef! honor, but a necessity for me.
Yes, woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel" (lC09, 16). In Cambodian society today both in the cities than in rural areas, be the witnesses of the love and mercy of God.
Nourished by prayer and the Word, dare to be the heart of God for our brothers and sisters, dare to show the infinite love of God for everyone: your life has value. "I have neither gold nor silver, but what I have, I give you: in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk" (Acts 3:6). Brothers and Sisters, the vitality of our church will depend on the strength of our humble and discreet witness full of charity and mercy. Love is inventive!
"Try to imitate God as beloved children, and follow the path of love, following the
example of Christ who loved us and gave himself for us" (Eph 5,1-2)
3. Give us the means for training in the riches of the Faith and the Word of
Knowledge and Science.
Each of you stressed the importance to be given to training for years to come. I am delighted and I thank the Lord with you.

 

  • Training in the riches of faith and the Word first to get to know our Lord Jesus
    Christ. I call with all my heart Christians of good will to accept the ministry of
    catechist and I urge priests, religious, the catechesis committee to provide
    resources and training venues for the catechists
  • Training and human intellectual then. I encourage religious congregations, the
    Education Committee, NGOs Catholics to expand efforts to provide a solid
    education for children and young people.
    That this search for the truth so that "Hope abounds in you by virtue of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15.13 b)


IV. Final Prayer
Finally, Brothers and Sisters, I turn to youth who are the vitality of our Church: "Bejoyful always, pray without ceasing, Do not the Spirit" (Fh 5,16-19). A new society and new church are emerging, you are the face,of the~! Walk faithfully with Jesus, our Savior. Be the witnesses of his life and his forgivetres-s:Maythe Spirit enlighten some of you to hear his call and respond with generosity and love to the service of the Church.
Brothers and Sisters, the Lord of peace himself give you peace even at any time and any way (2TH 3.16). I urge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all brothers. The grace of your Lord Jesus be with you (1Th 5,27-28).

Emile Destombes
Your Bishop

Article Source: Bishop's House