Catholic
Social
Communications

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNIS Asia Assembly
15 September 2008


SIGNIS is a Catholic non-governmental organization that includes communication professionals from 140 countries. As the "World Catholic Association for Communication", it brings together radio, television, cinema, video, media education, Internet, and new technologies.

SIGNIS has consultative status with UNESCO, ECOSOC (United Nations in Geneva and New York), and the Council of Europe, and is officially recognized by the Vatican as the Catholic organization for communication.

 

Bishop Anthony Bishop Antonysamy Susairaj of the Kampong Cham diocese gave the welcome to the assembled delegates. Cambodia has made great strides in Catholic communications in a short time.
Fr. Omer Giraldo Fr. Omer Giraldo of the Yarumal Mission Society is the director of the Catholic Social Communications office in Cambodia and has set up an impressive and wide-ranging program.
Cambodian blessing dance
 The traditional classical Cambodian blessing dance was performed by a dance troupe from one of the rural parishes. The young men and women were quite good.
Lawrence John Sinniah
 Lawrence John Sinniah of Indonesia is the president of SIGNIS Asia and gave a welcome also. About 50 delegates from Asian countries attended the assembly.
Augustine Loorthusamy Augustine Loorthusamy is the President of SIGNIS World.
Ramayama dance The village dance group also performed part of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
Contemporary landmine dance The troupe presented a modern, recently choreographed piece called "The Landmine Dance," promoting peace. The landmines in green are ultimately undone by the colored butterflies and white doves working in concert.
 

Concluding Ceremony
18 September 2008


Today was the last day of the formal sessions of the SIGNIS Asia Assembly, and the program concluded with a liturgy and then a final dinner together at the Catholic Social Communications office in Phnom Penh
The kitchen crew In Cambodia, food is prepared on the floor and in this small kitchen, floor space was limited. That's smoke in the air that makes the photo look over-exposed!
Roasting chicken on the porch The rest of the crew was cooking rice and roasting chicken wings on charcoal burners on an outside porch. It was a little easier to breathe there!
The rice cooker The most important ingredient for a Cambodian meal is lots of rice!
The closing liturgy Bishop Emile Destombes was the celebrant for the simple final liturgy to close the four days of the communications assembly.
The final dinner Charlie, Rose (Hong Kong), Michael (Malaysia), and Sr. Myrna (Philippines) ate together.

Go to Catholic Church in Cambodia main page
Go to Charlie Dittmeier's home page