Cambodian bishops call for weapons to fall silent, stressing that everyone ‘is created in the image of God’
In Cambodia, three bishops issued a joint appeal as air strikes and artillery fire continue for the sixth consecutive day along the 800-kilometre Thai-Cambodian border. “We pray for all the victims” and “affirm the closeness of our hearts to all displaced families, and especially children, the sick, and vulnerable people,” reads their statement. Meanwhile, in Thailand, the Catholic Bishops' Conference is mobilising to help the communities affected by the fighting.
Phnom Penh (AsiaNews) – While Thailand and Cambodia continue to carry out air strikes and exchange artillery fire along their 800-kilometre border for the sixth consecutive day, accusing each other of violating prior agreements, Catholic communities in both countries are mobilising for peace, helping the hundreds of thousands of refugees created by this second round of fighting, following the breakdown of the fragile ceasefire reached in July.
Even though Thailand’s parliament was dissolved today (with elections potentially set for 8 February), recriminations continue in Bangkok with the Thai military accusing the Cambodian air force of using “Ukrainian-style drones”.
In Phnom Penh Cambodian authorities blame Thailand for the escalation, reporting at least 11 Cambodian civilians killed and more than 300,000 displaced.
In this heartbreaking context, three bishops of the Cambodia’s Catholic Church issued an appeal today calling for weapons to immediately fall silent: Mgr Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh; Mgr Pierre Suon Hangly, Coadjutor Vicar (the first Cambodian bishop since the Pol Pot years who also serves as apostolic administrator of Kompong Cham); and Mgr Enrique Figaredo, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, which includes the area most affected by the conflict.
“As leaders of the Catholic Church in Cambodia, we express our deep sorrow and sadness over the renewed hostilities on the Thai-Cambodian border," the bishops’ statement reads.
“In this moment of challenge, we are reminded of the words of Jesus: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God' (Matthew 5:9),” the bishops write, adding that, “We believe that every human being is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and love.”
Given the situation, the prelates urge the two countries “to cease fire immediately and resume dialogue and diplomacy to resume, seeking solutions that promote the common good and true peace.
They add: “We pray for all the victims – military and civilian – who lost their lives, and we affirm the closeness of our hearts to all displaced families, and especially children, the sick, and vulnerable people.”
They go on to ask “the faithful to be agents of peace, promoting understanding and respect;” above all to "pray for peace in this time of preparation for Christmas when we await Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We invite you also to join different efforts and initiatives for supporting militaries and the thousands of displaced people, especially children who cannot go to school.
“May our shared humanity and commitment to peace guide us towards a brighter future, where love and compassion overcome hatred and division," the bishops write, ending their message calling for the blessing of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.
On the other side of the border, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand (CBCT) issued an appeal yesterday, signed by Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok who also serves as CBCT president.
In it, Thailand’s Catholic bishops express grave concern over this second wave of fighting that continues to intensify and spread.
“Several people have been killed and injured, and more than 250,000 people have been evacuated to about 900 temporary shelters. The situation remains tense, and there is no sign of it easing anytime soon,” the CBCT statement reads.
Caritas and its social action arms in the dioceses of Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chanthaburi are “urgently providing assistance to those affected to the best of its ability.”
The message goes on to say that, “To demonstrate unity in faith in Christ, the CBCT invites all dioceses, religious orders, Catholic organizations, and all benevolent Christians to show love and compassion to our brothers and sisters who are suffering through donations according to their ability via Caritas Thailand”.
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15/11/2005
