Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – In the Church of the Child Jesus in Phnom Penh, every day the faithful pray for national reconciliation, for the good of the Cambodian people, for the future of the country. The Church of the Child Jesus is one of the first churches constructed and consecrated after the era of the Khmer Rouge (1975-79) and the genocide of nearly 2 million Cambodians.
The Catholic community (there are over 20,000 Catholics in Cambodia) prays as the nation lives through a crucial moment in its history, which should serve as a means to close that painful chapter in Cambodian history: the opening (after years of expectation and postponements) of the trials of the former Khmer Rouge leaders. On February 17, one of the five on trial, Kaing Guek Eav (known as “Duch”) stood before the judges of the extraordinary Tribune formed by both the Cambodian government and the United Nations. “Duch,” 65 years of age, former head of security services of the central committee of the party, was the head of the S21 Detention Center, where over 17,000 people were held prisoners, tortured, and killed.
Along with him, the other leaders Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and his wife Ieng Thirith, and Nuon Chea are accused of genocide and crimes against humanity and will likely be sentenced to life in prison. However, the other four will not be sentenced until 2010. Other Khmer Rouge leaders have died during their time in prison (such as Ta Mok, known as “the butcher”), and Pol Pot (the dictator) and Son Sen died in 1998 on territory controlled by the Khmer Rouge.
In this delicate phase in the country's life, in which painful memories are brought to mind, such as those of the millions of victims and their families, the Church in Cambodia wishes to accompany the population with its prayer and with words of peace and reconciliation, in justice and in the necessary acknowledgment of the responsibilities of each person. Years of war and of internal conflict have left scars on the society: every family has had members among the Khmer Rouge and in the parties that soon confronted them: the priority now is reconciliation between families and towns. The small community of the Child Jesus Parish in Phnom Penh, is full of young people, a sign of confidence and hope for the future of the country, who offer a good example of communion, brotherhood, and love. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/02/2009)
