Religious leaders join hands to serve prisoners

Father Olivier Schmitthaeusler blesses prisoners with holy water

KOMPOT, Cambodia (UCAN) — In what they called an expression of their faiths, representatives of various religions joined a Catholic-organized prison visit to provide support and comfort to inmates.

“We must not only sit and talk but also take action,” said Father Un Son, parish priest of Kompot parish in Kompot province. “We should do something to bear witness to our faith,” added the priest, who coordinated the visit.

On Dec. 21, 30 people comprising Catholic priests and laypersons, Buddhist monks, Muslim and Protestant leaders, and officials from the Ministry of Religions and Cults visited 347 inmates at Kompot Prison in southern Cambodia.
Kompot parish has organized such annual Christmas visits for Catholics since 2003. It held its first interreligious visit last year.

“Do not lose hope. Show your solidarity and help each other,” Paris Foreign Missions Father Olivier Schmitthaeusler told the prisoners. The priest, who is vicar general of Phnom Penh apostolic vicariate, added that during this Christmas time, the leaders of various religions are here “to share joy with all of you.”

The visitors prayed with the prisoners, blessed them and gave them gifts of food and blankets.

Chhu Ann, one of the Catholic visitors, said “It was only a short time we were with them but it was very meaningful.” She added that some prisoners were moved to tears by the visit.

Buddhist monk Venerable Sum Chan said it is very important that prisoners remain motivated and hopeful so that they can contribute to society when they are released.

For Muslim representative Ly Ahs Mat, the visit was an opportunity for people of different religions to exchange experiences based on their faiths. He also emphasized the importance of compassion for those who needed it most.

Father Son noted that the visit not only benefits the prisoners, it also helps foster better relations among people of different religions in the Kompot area.