Our Apostolic Prefect
Msgr. Enrique Figaredo, SJ
Apostolic Prefect of Battambang Msgr. Enrique "Kike" Figaredo was born in 1959 in Spain. He was ordained priest in 1992 and was installed Prefect Apostolic of Battambang on 2 July 2000. His first contact with Cambodians was through his work with the refugees near the Thai border in 1984. Apart from guiding and directing the actions of the prefecture, he also takes care of the Catholic community of St. Joseph Parish in Ta Hen Village, Songkae District, Battambang. “Like in a ‘kroma’, a typical handmade Cambodian cloth present all over the country, the colours of hope, persistence and commitment has enriched the life of the Cambodian people. We can see a story of love between God and His people intricately woven in their history and daily lives.” |
Our Previous Apostolic Prefect
Msgr. Paul Tep Im Sotha
លោកអភិបាល ប៉ូល ទេព អ៊ីមសុត្ថា Msgr. Paul Tep Im Sotha was the first Apostolic Prefect of Battambang after the Holy See established the Prefecture in 1968. He was Cambodian and at 35 years of age, he was the youngest among his fellow priests when he was installed as Apostolic Prefect. He was killed by a Khmer Rouge soldier along with others in a bridge near the current city of Sisophon, Banteay Meanchey in early May of 1975. They were on their way to the Thai border. Every year in May, we gather near the place he was killed to commemorate his life and faith, which remained firm and shone brightly despite the trials of a dark period in Cambodian history. “It is the last time that I bless you. I remit your sins, you who are here present and those who did not come.” Bishop Tep Im, during his last mass in the Battambang on 13 April 1975 |