The Catholic Parish in Takeo

The Catholic Parish in Takeo
Created on February 24, 2004 05:36 pm

The parish in Takeo Province started just two years ago, all on the initiative of one man who wanted to become Catholic, and every week for two years went to Phnom Penh (two hours away) for the RCIA classes. He would then come home and teach other villagers what he had learned. John Barth, the Maryknoll priest I used to live with, had started an eye hospital in Takeo, and would have mass for the prospective Catholics once a month. Now that one man's faith has turned into a full parish with an actual church, a kindergarten, and a vocational high school.

Fr. Olivier Schmitthaeusler, of the Parish Foreign Missions group, is the pastor and the one who has put up the buildings. The church is small but probably the most beautiful in Cambodia.