Pope’s message to Cambodians

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.