Priestly ordination and perpetual profession show growth of the Cambodia Delegation

By Fr. Roel Soto, SDB
Delegate Superior for Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 7 July 2019 -- The St Paul Province of Thailand, especially its Delegation, Cambodia, together with the Salesian Family rejoices with the Thai Missionary Society and the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh as two missionary deacons in Cambodia, Rev. Joseph Nguyen Nhat Khoa, SDB and Rev. Paul Phromphong Seharat, TMS were ordained to the order of presbyterate on 6 July 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish at Phsar Touch, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. His Excellency Most Reverend Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, was the ordaining prelate, assisted by his two Apostolic Prefects Msgr. Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez, SJ and Msgr. Anthonysamy Susairaj, MEP together with Fr Dheparat Pittisant, Provincial Superior of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, and the Superior of Thai Missionary Society.

Present on this solemn occasion were some 50 priests, including 6 confreres from Thailand and 4 from Vietnam. The congregation was around 2,000 with fifty guests from Vietnam, including Mr. Raphael Nguyen Van Thua and Mrs. Mary Dang Thi Thuy Hanh, our deacon's parents, other family members, relatives and friends.

Bishop Olivier in his homily reminded them of how the great “Yes” in being a servant of God wakes us up. Nevertheless as a missionary priest one needs to adapt to the culture of the people, dialogue with other religions, visit the people in their place and intensify prayer life.

In Mary Help of Christians Chaplaincy Iju-Lagos, Nigeria on July 7, 2019 at 9:00AM another missionary cleric to Cambodia, Joshua Pilaku together with Akinyele Cyril and Okolo Michael made his perpetual profession before Fr Chuks Akubueze, SDB, Vice Provincial of AFW Province.

The celebration was graced by around 1,000 people, including Salesian priests, practical trainees, post-novices and Brothers, other members of the Salesian Family including the families of the professed and young people.

Fr Chuks encouraged the newly perpetually professed to live according to the path laid out by Don Bosco, joyfully, to show what is in the heart of the Sacred Heart. He reminded them what young people expect of the Salesian – someone ready to listen to them, guide them and be models to them.

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