The Catholic Church in Cambodia celebrated a historic milestone on September 6 with the episcopal ordination of Monsignor Pierre Suon Hangly as bishop and his installation as Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Phnom Penh.
The solemn ceremony, held at the Catholic Pastoral Center of the Phnom Penh Vicariate in Phnom Penh Thmey, drew thousands of faithful and dignitaries, marking the consecration of the first Khmer bishop since the fall of the Khmer Rouge era.
The ordination was presided over by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Vicar Apostolic of Phnom Penh, with Archbishop Peter B. Wells, Apostolic Nuncio to Cambodia, and Bishop Jean-Marie Prida Inthirath of Savannakhet serving as co-consecrators.
Cardinals and bishops from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia joined about 100 priests, many religious men and women, including missionaries, and almost 4,000 lay Catholics in a moment of profound significance for the Church in Cambodia.
“This is a very historic moment. The first Cambodian bishop since the Khmer Rouge,” Archbishop Wells told LiCAS News. “It was a beautiful event, filled with hope and renewal.”
Remembering sufferings
In his homily, Bishop Schmitthaeusler recalled the tragic history of the Church in Cambodia, particularly the ordination of Bishop Joseph Chhmar Salas in April 1975, just days before the Khmer Rouge seized Phnom Penh.
Bishop Salas, Cambodia’s first native bishop, was deported and died in obscurity in 1977 after secretly celebrating Masses in captivity.
“In the early 1970s, the Catholic Church in Cambodia stood as a beacon of faith, with vibrant communities, hundreds of dedicated priests and nuns, and a majestic cathedral in Phnom Penh,” Bishop Schmitthaeusler said.
“Today, gone are the grand cathedrals and stately bishoprics. Yet in their place, we find a living Church: a people aglow with faith, zealous priests, and devoted religious who continue to serve.”
Addressing Bishop Hangly directly, Bishop Schmitthaeusler added: “You are called to shepherd this vibrant Vicariate, encompassing eight provinces and the capital, cradled by the life-giving waters of four mighty rivers. On behalf of my brother bishops gathered here, I welcome you to the great Church of Asia, your spiritual homeland by birthright.”
Symbol of renewal
Archbishop Wells, representing Pope Leo XIV, congratulated Bishop Hangly for his new ministry, highlighting his years of service as Apostolic Prefect of Kampong Cham.
“Your journey reflects the courage and fidelity of a Church reborn from the trials of the past,” he said. “The Holy Spirit is restoring and renewing the local Church through a son of Cambodia, called to shepherd his people with a heart rooted in their shared history and faith.”
He praised Bishop Schmitthaeusler’s leadership over the past two decades, noting his role in building schools, fostering interfaith dialogue, and nurturing the faith of more than 20,000 Catholics across Cambodia.
Bishop Hangly, 52, was appointed Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Phnom Penh by Pope Francis in June 2025. Born in 1972, he was ordained a priest in 2001 and pursued advanced studies in Paris before returning to Cambodia. He has served as parish priest, vicar general, and, most recently, Apostolic Prefect of Kampong Cham.
As Coadjutor, Bishop Hangly will assist Bishop Schmitthaeusler and will automatically succeed him upon retirement or resignation. His appointment is widely seen as a sign of the local Church’s maturity and resilience, decades after it was nearly annihilated during the Khmer Rouge regime.
Witness of faith across borders
Among the international delegation was Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Bangkok, joined by two other Thai bishops. Their presence underscored regional solidarity with Cambodia’s Catholic community.
Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok reflected: “While political tensions between Cambodia and Thailand sometimes strain relations, today’s ordination created a very positive atmosphere. It shows how the Church continues to build bridges of peace across borders.”
The Church in Cambodia, which traces its roots back to the 16th century, has been painstakingly rebuilding since the 1990s. Today, it counts roughly more than 20,000 faithful (some sources provide different numbers), with pastoral centers, schools, and social initiatives reaching thousands more.
Saturday’s ordination of Bishop Pierre Suon Hangly stands as a beacon of hope — a living testimony that despite decades of persecution, the Catholic faith in Cambodia endures, renews, and continues to flourish.
