Kep Province, January 19, 2026 — Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler presided over the Annual Retreat of the Catholic Alliance for Development and Charity (CACD) at Eden Voah, gathering more than 20 Catholic NGOs and institutions committed to mercy, love, and hope in their service to humanity.

In his address, Bishop Olivier reflected on the challenges facing both global and local communities:

• Impermanence: The constant changes in social, international, and security contexts.
• Weakness of international mechanisms: The lack of effective conflict resolution worldwide.
• Political strategies: The dangerous reliance on the “law of the strongest.”
• Culture of hatred and mistrust: The spread of division and suspicion in society.

To counter these realities, Bishop Olivier shared a vision for “A Disarming Peace”, inspired by the words of Pope Leo XIV, who has called the Church to foster reconciliation through forgiveness, dialogue, and the radical love of enemies. The Bishop invited CACD members to become “Ambassadors of Peace”, stressing: “We must always be renewed in the Holy Spirit to find new ways and means to build peace and to remain ever-attentive to the needs of our brothers and sisters.”

Among the participants was Fr. Eugene Xalxo, representing the Salesian Congregation in Cambodia. His presence underscored the Salesians’ commitment to education, youth empowerment, and intercultural dialogue. As the Cambodian representative, Fr. Eugene highlighted the importance of Salesian charism in shaping initiatives that respond to the needs of young people, especially the most vulnerable, aligning with CACD’s mission of mercy and inclusion.

The retreat concluded with a shared commitment to six priority sectors for joint implementation in 2026:

• Education
• Health
• Livelihood and Social Enterprise
• Anti-Human Trafficking
• Disability and Inclusion
• Climate Change

The CACD Annual Retreat reaffirmed the Church’s role in promoting peace and justice in Cambodia and beyond. With Bishop Olivier’s call for “A Disarming Peace,” Pope Leo XIV’s encouragement to embody forgiveness and dialogue, and the active participation of leaders like Fr. Eugene Xalxo, the Catholic Alliance continues to stand as a beacon of hope, working to transform division into fraternity and vulnerability into dignity.