A Catholic community in southern Cambodia marked Christmas by scaling down festivities and redirecting funds toward charitable assistance for people displaced by conflict.
The Saint Mary Smiling Chomkar Teang community celebrated the Nativity of Jesus Christ in Tram Kak district, Takeo province, with a large gathering of the faithful.
The celebration was presided over by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler.
The event was organized by the Catholic community of the Phnom Penh Vicariate, together with priests responsible for the Takeo pastoral zone.
Organizers said the community decided to reduce several entertainment activities traditionally held during Christmas celebrations.
Funds that would have been spent on these programs were instead redirected to charitable works, particularly to assist displaced persons affected by the Thai–Cambodian war.
During the celebration, Bishop Schmitthaeusler said Jesus came to bring peace to humanity and described Christ as the Prince of Peace.
He said this message calls on all Christians to take part in building and promoting peace in society.
The bishop added that Christians have an important responsibility to pray for peace and to ask that it come without delay.
The Christmas celebration did not include large-scale entertainment activities. Instead, the community presented a Nativity play, focusing on the remembrance and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
