A Cluster of Events on the Convention of Cluster Munitions and Mine Ban Treaty
26 Apr 2010

A Cluster of Events on the Convention of Cluster Munitions and Mine Ban Treaty

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

16th February 2010 was another mile-stone to celebrate achievement. It is indeed good news of great joy! Sr Denise, Country Director of JRS Cambodia excitedly exclaimed, “Today (16th February 2010) we got the 30 ratifications on the cluster munitions treaty!” This means the treaty will enter into force on 1st August 2010 as a binding international law. “Today we are letting off 104 balloons at Siem Reap, Battambang, Banteay Prieb, and Phnom Penh. 104 is the number of signatories,” continued Sr Denise.

Newsbits on Cambodia
5 Mar 2010

Newsbits on Cambodia

by | posted in: Parishes & Pastoral Work, Social Justice | 0

Jesuit Refugee Service Cambodia reports that the International Convention on Cluster Munitions has now been ratified by 30 countries, which means that it will become binding international law on 1 September 2010. The director of JRS Cambodia, Sister Denise Coghlan, had been lobbying tirelessly governments as part of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC). (Source: Headlines 2010/02 News from the Jesuit Social Apostolate)

Weaving History in Battambang
20 Dec 2009

Weaving History in Battambang

by | posted in: Parishes & Pastoral Work, Social Justice | 0

10th Meeting of the Prefecture of Battambang
Siem Reap, October 20-22, 2009

Our life is full of experiences that spin and interweave, making up realities of life completely unsuspected, exceeding many times our dreams and expectations. The strength of life and the faithfulness of God in his love with his people is manifested with extreme clarity. This is our experience in Cambodia.

Floods in Siem Reap
20 Oct 2009

Floods in Siem Reap

by | posted in: Social Justice | 0

On 04 October, Fr Heribertus Pardjijo Bratasudarma (IDO) wrote, “In Siem Reap the floods started on Wednesday morning, but it came to the church only on Wednesday evening. The Siem Reap River that divides Siem Reap town was overflowing. Over half of Siem Reap town was flooded. Most parts of Old Market were flooded. The church was flooded from the water from the river and from the water that kept flowing from the back of the church from villages.

Jesuits in Cambodia gather for days of reflection, sharing and celebration
5 Sep 2009

Jesuits in Cambodia gather for days of reflection, sharing and celebration

by | posted in: Province News | 0

All the 20 Jesuits working in Cambodia; behind them is the Jesuits’ and volunteers’ residence at the Banteay Prieb.14 priests, 3 scholastics, 2 brothers and a Monsignor – all the Jesuits in Cambodia – came together last July 31 at the Banteay Prieb to celebrate St. Ignatius’s feast day and also in thanksgiving for the 19 years of service of Sr. Denise Coughlan, outgoing Director of the Jesuit Service here.

All but Msgr Kike Figaredo (CAS), Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, were already in Banteay Prieb beginning on the 28th for some days of prayer, reflection and sharing before the actual feast day. This Jesuit meeting was a good chance for the younger members of the Jesuit Mission to get to know the community better and to learn from the wisdom of the community’s “elders.” It was also a good time to welcome the returning members Fr Rajat Purti (RAN) and Fr Kang In-gun (KOR), who is finishing his Phd in London. Both arrived a day or two before the gathering.

Church irrigation work brings ‘a drop of hope’
8 Jul 2009

Church irrigation work brings ‘a drop of hope’

by | posted in: Social Justice | 0

TAHEN, Cambodia (UCAN) — The Church here is the driving force behind an irrigation project aimed at giving villagers access to water all year round, improving agricultural productivity and giving better access to drinking water.

The project, called "A Drop of Hope," is being coordinated by Pablo Figaredo, a Spaniard and the nephew of Jesuit Monsignor Enrique Figaredo, the apostolic prefect of Battambang. Read more. . .

First Jesuit ordination in Cambodia
12 Jun 2009

First Jesuit ordination in Cambodia

by | posted in: Formation, Province News | 0

At 9:30 in the morning of May 24, the first ordination of a Jesuit in Cambodia took place. Fr. Joseph Phongphand Phokthavi (KAM), more fondly known as “Jub”, was ordained by Msgr Emile Descombe, MEP, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, at the Church of the Assumption in Battambang, Cambodia. 

It was a marvellous community event with both Fr Gabriel Je (KOR), Delegate for the Korean Provincial, and Msgr Kike Figaredo (CAS), Prefect Apostolic of Battambang, as joyful and generous hosts. It was a celebration of the 25 years Jub has spent in Jesuit apostolates since joining JRS in 1985.  Refugee friends, co-workers and Jesuit companions from all those years were present, along with Jub’s mother and many brothers and sisters.