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Today is the 45th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge entering and occupying Phnom Penh. Three days before, Bp. Emile Destombes secretly ordained Fr. Chhmar Salas as the first Cambodian bishop of the diocese before Bp. Emile was deported. Salas’ last words to Bp. Emile were “Tell the world about us.” Bp. Salas died under the Khmer Rouge two years later.
The cathedral pictured above was destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.
Six days ago, when postponing the celebration of the Khmer New Year, the government announced an inter-province travel ban to end at midnight tonight. In an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19 around the country, no one except authorized and emergency people were to cross provincial lines. I heard early on that people were going through the checkpoints, and yesterday the newspaper confirmed it. Then today the ban was lifted at 6:00 AM. That’s the kind of scenario that frightens me about the period to come if the virus–progressing slowly so far–makes a jump into a significant portion of the population.
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Some stores are open and some are closed in Phnom Penh. There’s no clear policy on closing and staying at home. Click here to see some examples.
This is by far the most unusual Easter Sunday I have ever experienced. Probably many others–maybe most others–can say the same thing. It’s an unprecedented time for us.
Two reflections for the day:
I find this video really inspiring! A sudden explosion of resolve and determination to defeat an evil. And that is what Easter is–an explosion of new life and a union with Jesus that enables us to overcome the darkness, the fears, the tragedy in our lives.