The First Catholic Deacon in the Northeastern Province of Mondulkiri
John Baptist Prak Bunhong is the first candidate from the northeastern province of Mondulkiri, hailing from the indigenous Bunong minority, to dedicate his life to God by being ordained to the diaconate in preparation for the priesthood in the near future.
Ultimately, Mr. Prak Bunhong fulfilled his dream of joyfully offering himself to serve God after receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a deacon on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. The ordination Mass was presided over by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh; Bishop Bruno Cosme, Apostolic Prefect of Kampong Cham; and Bishop Enrique Figaredo, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang. They were joined by priests, religious brothers and sisters, and approximately 200 faithful representatives from across the three dioceses.
The ceremony took place at St. Joseph's Parish in Kdol Leu, located in Kdol Leu village, Trea commune, Krouch Chhmar district, Tboung Khmum province.
Bishop Bruno Cosme, Apostolic Prefect of Kampong Cham, stated: "After his ordination to the diaconate, Brother John Baptist Prak Bunhong will be assigned to serve the Catholic community in the Ratanakiri region. He will carry out the work of evangelization, faith formation, and participate in various liturgical celebrations in the community as assigned by the Apostolic Prefect and under the guidance of the local priest in Ratanakiri, Father Ivan Campagna. The new deacon must live closely with the community, further discern his religious vocation, practice obedience, and steadfastly maintain his faith."
Prak Bunhong was born on August 20, 1986, in Bousra village, Pechr Chenda district, Mondulkiri province. Born into a farming family of seven children (four boys and two girls), he is the fourth child.
On this momentous day in his life, the new deacon shared his feelings: "I am filled with great joy because what I have strived and struggled for over many years has finally borne fruit. It is a massive milestone of success in my life."
Brother Bunhong added: "I prepared myself so fully that I couldn't even sleep, because this is a profoundly special ceremony that happens only once in a lifetime. This means I voluntarily and completely surrender my whole life, mind, and spirit to serve the Church in proclaiming the Good News everywhere I go, following the model of Jesus Christ's life of sacrifice and love."
The new deacon urged young men and women who wish to discern a religious vocation in the Catholic Church to be courageous. He encouraged them to embrace love and a genuine desire to help in evangelization, and to dare to answer God's calling to serve the poor, the sick, and the abandoned.
Deacon John Baptist Prak Bunhong received the Sacrament of Baptism in 2007 at the Kampong Cham parish, along with other candidates. He entered the Major Seminary in Phnom Penh to discern the priesthood in 2014 and completed his seminary studies in 2021.
It is worth noting that today, the Catholic Church in the Apostolic Prefecture of Kampong Cham has three Cambodian priests, one deacon, and six Cambodian religious sisters. Notably, Brother Prak Bunhong and Sister Clara Pen Hill both belong to the indigenous Bunong ethnic minority.
By: Roeun Sreymach
