In a wonderfully, colourful, multi-faith ceremony, the new church of St Mary Magdala at Poipet was blessed on Sunday January 4th, the Feast of the Epiphany. Bishop Kike presided and the priests of the Diocese came to concelebrate at the Mass but there were central roles for the Sisters of the Missionary Society of the Sacred Heart, the students, staff and children of the hostel and kindergarten run by the nuns, representatives of the Buddhist community and many local people as well as visitors and friends. As at Pailin, the design of the church is based on a Buddhist temple and features a wall behind the altar made of porous bricks, to ‘absorb’ the prayer of the faithful. A beautiful ceremony to match a stunningly beautiful building.
