January 07, 2013 - Pope Benedict XVI sent his greetings and promises of prayers to
the Catholics of Cambodia as a 3-day congress on the Second Vatican Council wound
up on Monday in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The congress marked the 50th
anniversary of the start of Vatican II and the 20th anniversary of the publication
of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the two focuses of the current Year of Faith
being observed in the Catholic Church worldwide. At the end of the congress, Cambodian
translations of the Council documents and the Catechism of the Catholic Church were
distributed. In a video-message to the congress, Pope Benedict hoped the two documents
will allow Catholics to “better understand the teaching of the Church and grow in
faith.” Reminding Cambodians of “the period of troubles that precipitated” their
country in the darkness, the Holy Father emphasized the faith, courage and perseverance
of their pastors and their Christian brothers and sisters. The many who have died,
is a noble testimony to the truth of the Gospel, the Pope said, adding that their
testimony has become a priceless spiritual strength to rebuild the church community
in Cambodia. He noted that the many catechumens and adult baptisms indicate their
dynamism and a happy sign of the active presence of God in them. He encouraged them
to be a leaven in the dough of their society, witnessing to the love of Christ for
all, building bonds of brotherhood with members of other religious traditions, and
walking on the paths of justice and mercy.