The MEP in Cambodia: an overview (1659-1975)

The Cambodia mission integrates the apostolic vicariate of Cochinchina in 1659 when it is instituted. The first MEP missionary to settle in the region is P. Louis Chevreuil in 1664. In 1679, M^gr Louis Laneau takes over the apostolic vicariate of Siam and, temporarily inheriting the Cochin china jurisdiction, sends several missionaries to Cambodia. Between 1684 and 1743, the MEP are no longer in charge of the apostolic vicariate of Cochin china. In 1743, M^gr Armand Lefèbvre takes back the reins of the apostolic vicariate and settles in Cambodia in 1757. Between 1774 and 1799, M^gr Pigneaux de Béhaines’s episcopacy is marked by the destruction of the main Christian communities in Cambodia by Siamese and Vietnamese invasions in 1782.

In 1838, the MEP directors send fathers Miche and Duclos to reopen the Cambodia mission, where a new apostolic vicariate is instituted in 1850. In 1869, the Holy See redefines the borders of this vicariate, integrating two provinces of Cochinchina (Ha Tien and Chaudoc). In 1940, the French forces are defeated by the Japanese army and the country is occupied until 1945. Between 1945 and 1970, the successive episcopacies of M^gr Raballand (1937-1955), M^gr Chabalier (1955-1963), and M^gr Ramousse (1963-1970) favour the development of the mission towards the Khmers themselves. In 1970, general Lon Nol’s coup d’état drags the country into violence. Between 1970 and 1975, five missionaries are killed and nineteen are deported from Cambodia. The last missionaries leave the country in April of 1975, when Phnom Penh falls.

Chronology

1659: Cambodia integrates the apostolic vicariate of Cochinchina.

1664: P. Louis Chevreuil is the first MEP missionary to settle in Cambodia.

1684-1743: the MEP lose the office of the apostolic vicariate of Cochinchina. There are no MEP fathers in Cambodia during this period.

1743: M^gr Armand Lefèbvre takes back the reins of the apostolic vicariate of Cochin china.

1776: first ordinations in Cambodia.

1850: Pie IX institutes the apostolic vicariate of Cambodia and nominates M^gr Miche first vicar apostolic.

1940-1945: military occupation of Cambodia by the Japanese army.

1947: ordination of the first Khmer priest Simon Chhem Yen in Phnom Penh.

1955: Rome assigns the Cambodian provinces of Cù lao Giêng and Chaudoc to the Church of Vietnam.
The number of Catholics in Cambodia thereby drops from 120,000 to 44,500.
There are 25 MEP priests in Cambodia.

1970: general Lon Nol’s coup d’état.

1970-1975: Phnom Penh is captured by Pol Pot and the Khmers Rouges on the 15^th of April 1975.
5 missionaries are killed and 19 are deported from Cambodia.

Ancient collection  Cambodia mission collection