FIRST EVANGELIZATION AND CREATION OF PARISHES

Mgr Olivier Schmitthaeusler is the apostolic vicar of Phnom Penh, and Mgr Antonysamy Susairaj is the apostolic prefect of Kompong Cham: indeed, these two ecclesiastical territories are the last territories in Asia for which evangelization has been entrusted directly to MEP by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Because of its specific circumstances – the majority of the 20 000 Catholics are of Vietnamese origin – the Cambodian Church is also a place of first announcement (to the Khmers) and of new evangelization (of the Vietnamese). The challenges are many, beginning with the challenge of creating unity among Christians of Khmer origin and those of Vietnamese origin, who are divided by the depth of the historical wounds between these two neighboring countries. No less important are the challenges related to the immense work of translation of the Bible, liturgy and tradition. The priests of the group are involved in meeting these challenges in various ways, accompanying the growth of this very young Church the  objective and highest priority are those of a mission in its first stages: the training of a diocesan clergy and the promotion of lay people, so that the Church of Cambodia may attain maturity and take its destiny into its own hands. A priest from this group has also recently been sent to Vietnam.

LIVING TOGETHER, TEACHING, ASSISTING, PRAYING

The fourteen priests of the China missionary group work in various places, mostly in the diocese of Hong-Kong. Four of them are still in training, their dean is retired. The others work in different pastoral ministries on the level of parishes and the diocese: celebration of the sacraments, schooling young people, especially in the context of the many Catholic schools in Hong Kong, teaching the catechism to a diverse audience and with numerous adult baptisms each year, visiting the elderly, a ministry which is growing quickly with the ageing of the population, hospital visits, training and assistance at small faith groups, historical and theological research, the training of priests, religious and lay people, etc. Some of the priests who carry out their ministry in Mandarin usually live and work in Taipei. The friendly ties with dioceses formerly entrusted to the MEP are nourished by regular visits and strengthened by a range of supporting activities.

A GROUP IN REBIRTH

With 18 priests, the group in Thailand, Myanmar and Laos is the largest MEP group. Of these priests, 9 are under 60 years of age and 5 are still undergoing training.
The future of the group will depend on these priests. The local church has made known that they need training. The older priests live mostly in Thailand, but the younger ones and the more recent ones are spread out over three countries: 5 in Thailand, 1 in Laos and 3 in Myanmar. Two priests cover the northern region of Maesot where they visit a dozen Christian Karen communities that are widely spread out, and help them with education. Out of the 12 volunteers, half are in the northern sector of Maesot, the other half is spread out between Bangkok, north-east Thailand and Laos.

MINORITIES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, SOCIAL WORK, AND OPENING TO THE HAN

Priests in the Taiwan group mainly take care of the indigenous communities in three missionary centres: Taoyuan, Hualien, and Yuli. This mission involves learning Taiwanese or indigenous languages, in addition to Mandarin. Some have a calling to work with the disabled, with migrants (Filipino, Indonesian and Vietnamese), or with students. Some priests in Taiwan have turned their attention to the Chinese (Han), working both on the mainland and on the island of Taiwan. The Taiwan mission group is pursuing this opening to the Han.

A GROUP IN REBIRTH

With 18 priests, the group in Thailand, Myanmar and Laos is the largest MEP group. Of these priests, 9 are under 60 years of age and 5 are still undergoing training.
The future of the group will depend on these priests. The local church has made known that they need training. The older priests live mostly in Thailand, but the younger ones and the more recent ones are spread out over three countries: 5 in Thailand, 1 in Laos and 3 in Myanmar. Two priests cover the northern region of Maesot where they visit a dozen Christian Karen communities that are widely spread out, and help them with education. Out of the 12 volunteers, half are in the northern sector of Maesot, the other half is spread out between Bangkok, north-east Thailand and Laos.