Home News Cambodia’s disabled find strength in symbolism of mutilated Christ, says Jesuit missionary

Cambodia’s disabled find strength in symbolism of mutilated Christ, says Jesuit missionary

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated annually on Dec. 3, Jesuit missionary Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzález, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, reflected on the struggles and spiritual resilience of persons with disabilities in Cambodia. 

Speaking to Vatican’s Fides News Agency, the Spanish missionary shared insights from his four decades of work in the country, emphasizing the transformative symbolism of the “mutilated Christ.”

“There are many disabled people in Cambodia: many are victims of the civil war and of landmines scattered throughout Cambodian territory. During my journey I had an inspiration from the Lord: in a retreat house in Portugal I saw the image of a mutilated Christ. Since then, this image has become my pectoral cross,” explained Figaredo.



The United Nations established the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 1981 to promote awareness, understanding, and the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. 

Figaredo’s reflections on the day highlighted the profound spiritual connection between the disabled and the suffering Christ.

The image of the mutilated Christ has become a powerful symbol of solidarity and hope for Cambodia’s disabled population. 

“The first meaning: Christ is missing a leg, as is the case with the many disabled people in Cambodia. Jesus, our Lord, identifies with their suffering, he is like them and is with them, he lives their suffering to redeem them. People can say: Jesus is one of us, we are not alone, Jesus suffers with us,” Figaredo explained.

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He further noted how the disabled find purpose and meaning in their struggles through their faith. “The second meaning: through their suffering, the disabled are linked to the suffering of Christ for the salvation of the world. They see and understand a meaning in their suffering, and this gives them a new light. They are united with Christ who suffers in all the poor and in all the injustices of the world: they are at his side and with him offer their sufferings for the salvation of humanity.”

Figaredo also touched on the concept of the Mystical Body of Christ, explaining how the image of the mutilated Christ calls for spiritual and missionary action. 

“The Mystical Body of the Lord is incomplete: in the Mystical Body of Christ we are limbs, hands, arms, legs, but something is missing; a leg is missing because the love of God is not known and not accepted. The Lord is rejected by a large part of humanity. Our task is to be the part that is missing: this is a task that the mutilated Christ gives us, we are those who complete the Mystical Body of Christ for humanity.”

This mission, he added, provides purpose and joy not only for the disabled but for all who work to fulfill the vision of a more inclusive and compassionate world. 

“It is therefore a missionary Christ, as I always say in the Mass. We are the Body of Christ. We are called to express and be what is missing for the fullness of the Mystical Body, to complete it. This mission also accompanies the life of the disabled and gives them joy.”

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