300 Cambodian Youth Walk 20km for Peace and Reconciliation

Three hundred young people in Cambodia just proved that peace starts with a single step, repeated 20 kilometers worth of times.

The 15th Catholic Youth Pilgrimage brought together youth from across Cambodia for three days in early March, centered on the theme "Youth and Reconciliation for Peacebuilding." The event took place in Battambang Province, about 300 kilometers west of the capital city of Phnom Penh.

The most powerful moment came on February 28, when all 300 participants walked 20 kilometers from Thmor Koul District to Mary Mother of God Parish. Despite fatigue and physical pain, the young pilgrims encouraged one another throughout the journey.

"This pilgrimage invites youth to take an active role in building peace in the Church and in society," said Mr. Sun Saruon, who organized the event through the Vicariate's Office for Children, Adolescents, and Youth. He explained that the mutual support shown during the physically demanding trek became a visible sign of solidarity and growth.

Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler led two teaching sessions during the pilgrimage. He reminded the youth that peace begins with their relationship with God and extends outward to their families and communities.

"Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of harmony and a life of relationships filled with the joy of God," the bishop told participants. He encouraged them to become "ambassadors of reconciliation" in their communities.

His message emphasized practical virtues like compassion, forgiveness, and humility. "Hate is not the path to building peace," he said. "As Christians, we build peace through prayer, forgiveness, and reconciliation."

The Ripple Effect

The pilgrimage transformed how participants view conflict in their own lives. Miss Yat Kanha from Tboung Khmum Province admitted she previously struggled to forgive others and often held grudges. The program helped her realize that peace must begin within each person, and she now hopes to share these lessons with other youth in her parish.

Brother Eng Sarong described the walk as a reflection of life's journey itself. "Catholics will always encounter obstacles, but we must walk with God at all times," he said.

The event concluded with bishops from all three of Cambodia's ecclesiastical jurisdictions participating, marking a renewed commitment among young Catholics to foster reconciliation and peace throughout their communities.

These 300 young people walked their way toward peace, and their journey is just beginning.