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Every year the bishop of Phnom Penh, Emile Destombes, invites all the sisters and brothers and priests and all the diocesan lay workers to a gathering at the bishop's residence in Phnom Penh on the first Sunday of January. Over the years the gathering has greatly increased in size as the number of lay people involved in church work has multiplied. This is usually the last of the Christmas events celebrated by the Catholic community. |
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Bishop Emile (seated) introduced Fr. Olivier Schmitthaeusler, the bishop-designate, who had a chance to talk to the leaders of the diocese for the first time since his appointment a week ago.
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Salesian Sisters listening to Fr. Olivier.
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Some of the primary students at one of the Salesian Sisters' schools performed an energetic medley of Christmas songs while the adults ate dinner.
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The courtyard of the bishop's house is the venue for this annual dinner and now it is barely large enough to accommodate all the diocesan leaders.
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