Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Catholic Cambodia
Phnom Penh (Fides News Agency) – A Buddhist primary school for young monks bears the names of both a Buddhist abbot and a Catholic bishop, offering a unique and tangible sign of the interreligious dialogue taking root in Cambodia. The school, named "Chomroen Olivier," combines the names of Venerable Nget Chomroeun, abbot of Ang Montrey Pagoda, and Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, MEP, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh. A new building dedicated to educational activities has recently been inaugurated at Ang Montrey Pagoda, in Takeo Province, further strengthening cooperation between the local Buddhist community and the Catholic Church in Cambodia.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on June 25, Bishop Schmitthaeusler described the project as "a beautiful, concrete and living sign of collaboration between the pagoda and the Catholic Church," the fruit of a friendship that has flourished for more than twenty years.
In a message sent to Fides, the Bishop recalled his arrival in the Chomkartieng area as a young missionary in 2002, when the first joint initiative between Catholics and Buddhists was the construction of a two-kilometre red-earth road linking the pagoda with the local church. "That road became the symbol of our relationship," he said.
The cooperation has since expanded through numerous shared initiatives. Supported by the Catholic Church since 2023, the Chomroen Olivier School has already provided religious formation to around forty young Buddhist monks while also offering the teaching in subjects such as Khmer language, mathematics and computer science. The educational project forms part of a broader collaboration that includes meetings between Catholic and Buddhist students, initiatives promoting spiritual dialogue, and shared social activities.
The Apostolic Vicar stressed that "peace is built through education, charity and concrete fraternity." He pointed to examples such as joint visits by Buddhists and Christians to healthcare centres during the pandemic, assistance to the poorest families, and humanitarian aid recently delivered to communities affected by tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
"We are building bridges through dialogue, friendship and fraternity," the Bishop said, encouraging Buddhists and Catholics to continue working together as "artisans of peace" at a time marked by new conflicts and tensions. Later that same day, Bishop Schmitthaeusler received from the King of Cambodia the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia, one of the Kingdom's highest honors. The Apostolic Vicar described the award as "an encouragement to persevere on the path of cooperation among the country's religious communities." He added that it "is a sign of the shared mission between Buddhists and Catholics, which is bearing tangible fruit in the service of Cambodian society."
Another significant milestone in this fruitful collaboration had taken place only days earlier. On June 13, at Wat Botum Vatey Temple in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's Buddhist religious authorities conferred on Bishop Schmitthaeusler the honorary title "Akka Mahā Upāsaka Buddha Sāsanūpatthambhakr," meaning "Elder Great Lay Supporter and Upholder of the Buddha’s Dispensation." The prestigious distinction is awarded to individuals of any faith who have made an outstanding contribution to supporting the Buddhist tradition.
This recognition represents a further step beyond the title of "Maha Upasaka," which was conferred on the Bishop in 2022 in recognition of his contribution to educational cooperation and social development alongside the country's Buddhist majority.
During the ceremony, Buddhist leaders recalled that while the Cambodian Constitution recognizes Buddhism as the State religion, it also guarantees full religious freedom and promotes harmony and mutual respect among the country's different faith communities.
"The Catholic Church and Buddhism walk hand in hand for the common good of our people and our country," the Apostolic Vicar said, adding that "when religions walk together, the world can witness true peace." (PA) (Fides News Agency, 27/6/2026)
