Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – The sudden border conflict that broke out between Thailand and Cambodia is also a fragment of the ‘third world war in pieces’ as the late Pope Francis repeatedly stated during his pontificate. This is ‘today’s dramatic scenario’ recalled by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, in the message-appeal he has just released to invite the entire Cambodian Catholic community to “dedicate their prayer times through (Taizé vigils, Eucharistic adoration, rosaries), and our Sunday Masses this Sunday, 27 July 2025, to the intention of peace and fraternity between the two nations.”Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler also recalls the words of Pope Paul VI, echoed by Pope Leo XIV, ‘never again war’, which now resonate with particular intensity for him and for all Christians in the two countries in conflict, “while incessant enemy fire has darkened the sky on the border between our two kingdoms.”It is precisely peace, following “many years of suffering,” the Apostolic Vicar points out, “that has allowed our country to develop, our people to make plans, and to live together in harmony.” It is a peace “won with so much sacrifice and effort,” which has now been shattered. Faced with this scenario, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, a missionary of the Missions étrangères de Paris (MEP), said, “we, pastors, priests, men and women religious, and the Christian communities of Cambodia, join our voices in a single prayer: May the Lord of peace grant us peace always and everywhere.”In the coming days, and in particular on Sunday, July 27, the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh invites everyone to pray “for the dead and wounded, for all those who have had to flee their homes quickly to seek refuge from the bombings.” Bishop Schmitthaeusler also urges prayers “for our political leaders and the international community so that they may immediately begin a process of dialogue that will put an end to this border conflict.”Furthermore, the appeal-message implores us to pray also “for our soldiers and their families who live in fear and anguish,” and for all “our people who desire to live in peace and harmony.” Prayer, the Apostolic Vicar acknowledges, “is our only weapon and our only shield today,” a resource to be used to invoke “an end to the sound of gunfire” and “a renewal of dialogue for peace and reconciliation.””With Pope Leo,” concludes Bishop Schmitthaeusler, “we entrust this fervent appeal to the Queen of Peace so that she may present it to the Lord Jesus and obtain for us the miracle of peace.” (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 26/7/2025)
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