Cambodian Catholics Send Aid to Myanmar on Good Friday

On Good Friday, commemorating the Passion of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church in Cambodia extended a gesture of solidarity by donating Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, on April 18. 

The announcement came in a letter released by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, on behalf of Cambodia’s three Catholic bishops. 

The letter expressed deep compassion and unity with the people of Myanmar, who continue to suffer in the aftermath of a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck at the end of March, claiming over 3,000 lives and leaving thousands more in dire need. 

Responding to an appeal made by Cardinal Bo through MERCI (Myanmar Emergency Relief and Church Initiative), the Catholic faithful in Cambodia held a special collection during Palm Sunday liturgies on April 13.

“We organized a special collection to express our tangible solidarity with your Church and people,” Bishop Olivier wrote. 

The initiative, which took place across all parishes in Cambodia, raised 90 million Cambodian riel—equivalent to USD 22,500. 

Bishop Olivier noted that this amount “surpassed our expectations” and would go toward Cardinal Bo’s emergency relief efforts in Myanmar. 

“In this Jubilee Year, as we journey together toward hope, we beseech our Almighty God through the power of the Holy Cross to grant you and your people consolation, courage, and unwavering faith to find light amidst the darkness,” the letter added. 

The Catholic Church in Cambodia consists of three jurisdictions: the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang, and the Apostolic Prefecture of Kompong Cham. 

Together, they serve more than 20,000 Catholics through 107 communities and churches.

This act of charity stands as a profound testament to Christian solidarity in times of suffering and a living expression of the Good Friday message of sacrificial love.