May 7th was the Anniversary of the martyrdom of Bishop Paul Tep Im Sotha, murdered by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 along with another priest, Fr Badre and two Australian tourists. There is now a permanent memorial at the martyrdom place, Kbal Spean [about 5 miles outside Svay Sisophon] and prayers and celebrations took place there, attended by many people, not just the Catholic community. Mass was celebrated at Svay Church with Bishop Kike and the priests of the Battambang Diocese during which the students re-enacted the story of Bishop Tep Im’s death. May they all rest in peace.
