Richie's letters
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Notwithstanding the Covid-19 pandemic, it is with “joy” that the Catholic faithful of the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang welcomed Pope Francis’ invitation to hold the prefecture synod in unity with the universal Church, as the Catholic Church takes on the challenges of the future.
However, due to restrictions in travels and group gatherings because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Opening Program of the Battambang Prefecture Synod was delayed for a month. That is, instead of 17 October 2021 as recommended by the Vatican, the opening program for the prefecture synod was held on 18 November 2021. On that day, around 120 participants—i.e., Priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay delegates from all the parishes and mission areas scattered throughout the 9 (North-Western) Provinces of Cambodia which comprises the Battambang Prefecture—came to Battambang to meet and enjoy each other’s company.
On the morning of 18 November 2021, the Priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers, and the lay delegates of the different parishes and mission areas formally launched the prefecture synod process by making a short procession inside the Pet Yiey Chee Catholic Church compound in Battambang. The procession concluded inside the Our Lady of the Assumption (Battambang) Church where the delegates gathered for a whole day of prayer and workshop on the prefecture synod process. The prayer and workshop were also enlivened by everyone participating in the singing of Khmer Catholic religious action songs and dances which we often use during catechetical and group pastoral activities.
Joining the delegates—which gathered inside the Battambang Church for the opening of the prefecture synod—”live via Zoom” were the different parish and mission communities of the Battambang Prefecture. The Opening Program was concluded by the Holy Mass in the afternoon, where the different parish and mission communities again participated via Zoom telecasts. When our friends from the Diocese of East Anglia saw the video of our opening program, many sent compliments and remarked that if they could, they would like to join the Battambang Prefecture’s synod because “our joy” is contagious.
During the succeeding seven months, the different Catholic communities and mission areas of the prefecture held its parish synods, spearheaded by Fr. CHO Hae-in and Miss Marie Pheak—both were tasked by Msgr. Enrique “Kike” Figaredo SJ, Apostolic Prefect—to oversee the local parish synods.
Participants to the synods in the different parishes were a mixture of both religious, lay faithful, and foreign lay volunteers. Aside from the local parishioners, other groups, such as, the combined Youth Group of Students residing in our student centres (i.e., about 172 students) and the English Group (i.e., Catholic group of expats residing in Siem Reap) also joined the synod process.
Of the 24 parishes and mission areas of the Battambang Prefecture, 22 Catholic communities have finished the synod process by 1st week of June 2022, with a total of 918 participants (including the combined youth group and English group), while the Catholic communities of Sisophon and Poipet still has to conduct the synod process.
During the synod process, the delegates from 20 Catholic communities have eleven questions to reflect and pray upon and share with each other in the group? For the communities of Snoeung and Pailin, however, due to the fact that many of its members are catechumens, were given only five questions for prayer and reflection which manifests their status quo as young and developing Church communities.
Articulated in different ways and therefore possessing their own individual significance, I believe that the questions for prayer and reflections can be encapsulated in the query, “What should we do to help the Catholic community grow and prosper?”
To answer the above query, many synod participants pointed out the fundamental need for each individual member of the Church “to first have a deep and strong faith, and love for each other.” This deep faith and love for each other can be realized (i) by regular and active participation in the Holy Mass, (ii) by studying and learning the lessons from the Bible, (iii) by doing acts of mercy—visiting the sick, the elderly, and those who are incarcerated, and sharing what we have to the needy, (iv) by building good relationship—learning how to live with each other peacefully, helping those who are in need, (v) by being active in the different Church activities, etc.
It is notable that almost everybody agree that the current life situation of the church is far from perfect and that there is need for constant growth—both physically and spiritually. Thus, far from being negative or critical, the Catholic faithful of the prefecture acknowledge the fact that there is much that needs to be done and that our Church is a work in progress. This is necessary to be able to get to the next course of action which is synodality—the process of “fraternal collaboration and discernment” as we move forward as one Church, as one Body of Christ.
