ASIA/CAMBODIA - First Seminar held by the recently established Health Pastoral Committee of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – From September 18-20, the Health Pastoral Committee of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh held its First Seminar. The Committee was recently created, in January 2008, in order to help Christians in reflecting on the various challenges in the health field that arise in the parish setting on a daily basis.
One of the morning sessions in the Seminar was dedicated to a reflection on the Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II, “Evangelium vitae.” There is an emphasis on the passage from the Book of Genesis that tells of Cain killing his brother Abel. John Paul II makes it clear in his explanation that the world has become a slave of the culture of death whose ramifications are evident in the daily life of society and individuals. Abortion is the most commented issue. The “Gospel of Life” has encouraged all the participants to seek the truth with courage and an upright heart.
The clear exposition of ideas allowed the participants in the Seminar to realize the various techniques used for aborting and it has been another opportunity to become aware of the many ways being used to take lives. In addition, the Catholic medical doctors and medical students also presented Natural Family Planning methods.
In the course of the workshops, the representatives from various parishes who were participating in the Seminar, were given the occasion to share news of the many desperate cases of young women in their villages. One undeniable fact is the physical and psychological damage suffered by young mothers who have aborted their children.
A prayer gathering, in the style of Taize, with the “light of life” symbolized in passing small candles from one person to the next, and the Mass formed the concluding acts of this preliminary encounter held by the Health Pastoral Committee. (P.B.) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2008)