Vicar of Phnom Penh: ‘Let us pray for peace’. Third day of clashes with Bangkok

In a message on behalf of the small Catholic community in Cambodia regarding the ongoing fighting with Thailand, Monsignor Olivier Schmitthaeusler calls for respect for international law and invites all parishes to pray that the leaders will find a “friendly, sustainable, and just” solution. Cross accusations continue between the two countries, while missiles have also rained down on Laos. Over 30 people have been killed and 200,000 displaced.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies) - As clashes continue for the third consecutive day on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, the apostolic vicar, Msgr. Olivier Schmitthaeusler, a missionary of the MEP, has launched an appeal for peace on behalf of the small Cambodian community, inviting all parishes to pray during tomorrow's Masses for peace and brotherhood between the two countries, which in recent hours have seen long-standing tensions over sovereignty of the temples of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom erupt into armed conflict.

"We pray for the dead and wounded, for all those who have had to leave their homes in search of refuge from the bombing. We pray that our political leaders and the international community will immediately begin a process of dialogue to end this border conflict. We pray for our soldiers and their families who live in fear and anguish. We pray for our peoples who want to live in peace and harmony. Brothers and sisters,“ he concluded, ”prayer is our only weapon and our only shield.“

In a statement released yesterday, Monsignor Schmitthaeusler also expressly condemned the ”violations of the Thai army" in the provinces of Oddar Meanchay and Preah Vihear. “We, the leaders and members of the Catholic Church in Cambodia,” he wrote, "reaffirm our firm adherence to the principles of international law, including the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter, which prohibit the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and independence of any state. The maintenance of peace and the peaceful resolution of disputes are the most important foundations for the common interests of both nations.“

”We firmly believe in the wisdom and leadership of the Cambodian government and our Armed Forces in defending the territory and seeking peaceful and diplomatic solutions with wisdom to protect the integrity, territory, and national interests," the prelate continued.The words of Jesus Christ teach us: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God!’ (Mt 5:9). These words remind us that building peace is the best way forward.“

Monsignor Schmitthaeusler invokes God's blessing on the thousands of people ”fleeing in search of safety and protection and the strength to persevere in this difficult time. Let us pray to God to give our leaders the wisdom and strength to achieve a peaceful, friendly, sustainable, and just solution."

These words come as reports of new military actions continue to arrive despite calls for a ceasefire from both sides. This morning, the Phnom Penh government also spoke for the first time of 13 Cambodian deaths, bringing the total number of victims to at least 32. Between the two countries, there is also a war of reconstructions of what is really happening on the ground, with mutual accusations of incursions into each other's territory that have been repelled. Among the most worrying developments are several missiles that have fallen inside the territory of neighboring Laos: Bangkok and Phnom Penh are also blaming each other for this.

Meanwhile, mobilization is growing for those displaced from the areas involved in the fighting: a total of around 200,000 people in Thailand and Cambodia are said to have been forced to leave their homes to seek refuge.