Cambodia mourns the death of faith educator, a member of the Cambodia Interfaith Council

Cambodia mourned the death of a leading Catholic lay leader, who was an avid promoter of inter-religious dialogue in the country.

Mr. Joseph Doung Savong, the head of the Faith Education Office of the Catholic Community of Cambodia and a member of the Cambodia Interfaith Council, died on February 20, 2025, due to epilepsy and a heart attack. He was 69.

Bishop Olivier Michel Marie Schmitthaeusler of the Vicariate Apostolic of Phnom-Penh, on behalf of the Catholic community in Cambodia and behalf of the family, expressed deep condolences and sympathy to the wife Nope Vanna, of the late Joseph.

Joseph was born on February 24, 1956.

He served in many positions in the country. He was a servant in the Cambodian Catholic Community from 1997 as a religious educator.

From 2002 to 2009, he worked at the Cambodia Catholic Cultural Center, and from 2009 to 2020, he was the head of the Catholic Cultural Center of Cambodia.

From 2020 till he passed away, he was the head of the education office in Phnom Penh village.

Additionally, he was in charge of communications with the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Cambodian Catholic Community. He was also a member of the Inter-religious Dialogue Communication Committee.

Many locations throughout the city conducted neurological services from February 20 to 22.

Government officials and leaders from various religious communities, such as Buddhism, Islam, and Protestantism, condoned the death of Joseph and offered their condolences to the bereaved family.

The funeral Mass was held on February 22 at the Phnom Penh Thmey Pastoral Center.

On February 23, the Catholic Community Church of Tampoung (Saint Mary Mother of God) held a service to pay respect to the soul of teacher Joseph.

On behalf of all fathers, teachers, and Christians, many expressed their condolences to the teacher's family.

“We are so sorry for the loss of such an important resource in the Catholic community. Please, brothers and sisters, may God receive his soul and pray for his family,” said a parishioner of Saint Mary Mother of God.

On February 21, 2025, Chit Sokunthy, Secretary of the Ministry of Ethics and Religion, representative of the Ethics and Religious Youth Working Team, and the leader of the Islamic and Christian Working Team, paid respect to the family of Joseph, who was suffering from lung disease.

Chour Sopanya, Secretary of State and Director of the High Representative; Jay Boren, Minister of Culture and Religion; Bishop Olivier; Chmit Hosley, head of the Catholic Community of Phnom Penh; and Governor Sela Soun Hangsly, head of the Catholic Church of Phnom Penh's village, attended the cremation ceremony of Joseph on February 22.

On the same day, Sia Sophakdra, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Religion, accompanied by the Christian leadership of Nikay Protestants, expressed their condolences and prayed for the soul of Joseph.

The Buddhist monk's grandson, together with the priest of the committee of Angmank Pagoda, Kou Commune, Tram Bok District, Takeo Province, joined the funeral with the Catholic community.

On February 22, Chu Bun Eng, Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Deputy Permanent Chairman of the National Committee Against Human Trafficking, led the delegation of the National Assembly to pay respect to the soul of Mr. Joseph.

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture and Religion led by Seng Somony, Permanent Secretary and Chour Sophanya, Secretary and Director of the Cabinet, High Representative Jay Boren, Minister of Culture and Religious, paid respect to the soul of Joseph.