Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh

Infobox Diocese
country = Cambodia
name = Phnom Penh
jurisdiction = Apostolic Vicariate
latin = Apostolicus Vicariatus de Phnom-Penh
local = ភូមិភាគ​ភ្នំពេញ
bishop = Emile Destombes, M.E.P.
bishop_title = Apostolic Vicar| cathedral =
rite = Latin
area = 31,946
population = 4.4 million
population_as_of = 2002
catholics = 13,250
catholics_percent = 0.3


The Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh is a territorial subdivision of the Roman Catholic Church in Cambodia.

The prefecture covers an area of 31,946 km² of southern Cambodia, covering the cities Phnom Penh, Kep and Sihanoukville, as well as the provinces Kandal, Takéo, Kampot, Kampong Speu and Koh Kong. As of 2002, of the 4.4 million citizen 13,250 are member of the Catholic church. The vicariate is subdivided into 4 parishes, and has 17 priests altogether.

History

The Vicariate Apostolic of Cambodia was erected on August 30 1850, which since 1860 was responsible for the provinces Phsar Dek, Chau Doc and Soc Trang of lower Cambodia, now part of Vietnam. In 1924 it was renamed to Vicariate Apostolic of Phnom-Penh. On September 20, 1955, the vicariate became responsible for complete Cambodia. In 1968 the vicariate was split into three parts, with the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang responsible for the northwest and the Apostolic Prefecture of Kompong Cham for the northeast.

During the rule of the Khmer Rouge all religious activities were forbidden, and many Catholics were persecuted, especially priests and other ordinaries. Also the Vietnamese Catholics, the majority of Catholics in Cambodia, were expelled from the country. Most of the churches were also destroyed. The number of Catholics in the area of the vicariate fell from about 30,000 to less than 10,000. In 1990 the new constitution of Cambodia allowed free worship again.

Ordinaries

*Emile Destombes, M.E.P.: assigned April 14 2001
*Yves-Georges-René Ramousse, M.E.P.: 1992 - April 14 2001 (resigned)
*Joseph Chhmar Salas: 30 April 1976 – September 1977 (killed)
*Yves-Georges-René Ramousse, M.E.P.: 12 November 1962 - 1976 (resigned)
*Gustave-André-Ferdinand Raballand, M.E.P.: February 29 1956 - April 1962 (resigned)
*Jean-Baptiste-Maximilien Chabalier, M.E.P.: December 2 1937 - June 11 Jun 1955 (died)
*Valentin Herrgott, M.E.P. December 17 1928 - March 23 1936 (died)
*Jean-Claude Bouchut, M.E.P.: Juyl 23 1902 - December 17 1928 (died)
*Jean-Baptiste Grosgeorge, M.E.P. January 28 1896 - March 1 Mar 1902 (died)
*Marie-Laurent-François-Xavier Cordier, M.E.P.: June 18 1882 - August 14 1895 (died)
*Jean-Claude Miche, M.E.P.: 1850 - 1869 (resigned)

External links

* [http://www.catholiccambodia.org/en/church/phnompenh.php Catholiccambodia]
* [http://www.gcatholic.com/dioceses/diocese/phno0.htm Giga-Catholic Information]
* [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dphno.html Catholic-Hierarchy]