Fr Pierre Ceyrac at the Khmer Refugee Camp Site II in Thailand by 1985. Photo courtesy websitesrcg.com.
Too many organizations must receive recognition for their commitment to the people during the most troublesome moments of the Cambodian history like the time of civil war and conflict. The Cambodians of the unforgettable refugee camps in Thailand keep by sure a good memory of those institutions and their members spending their times and resources to support the most needed.
A friend of mine, who was born in Site II, said to me once: ‘I remember my time as a child at the refugee camp and it was a very happy time… we had everything.’ Unfortunately, thousands of refugees around the world can not say those words, but what my friend lived was thanks to organizations and persons like Father Pierre Ceyrac.
The French Jesuit missioner in India went with Caritas in the 1980s to Thailand to help the Cambodians who were fleeing the war. He was one of the first with other Jesuit companions like John Bingham and Noel Oliver, in the Jesuit Refugee Service program founded by Father Arrupe. Fr. Ceyrac was working especially at the Khao-I Dang and Site II until the refugees returned to Cambodia in 1993.
Father Ceyrac is not more. He passed away last May 30 in India. God will give the due honor to a man who consecrated his life to the poor and he must be preserved in the mind of those who knew him. Let us not forget these kind of persons that have done too much good for our Cambodia. Any good we know now, every stone of peace, is thanks to the purpose and commitment of those souls who work for peace and justice.
Other readings
- FrontLine, (August 1 – 14, 1998). A Life of Service. Link retrieved on 06.10.2012.
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Priscilla Jebaraj (May 9, 2009). Neither age nor poor health has withered this Jesuit priest’s spirits. Chennai: The Hindu. Link retrieved on 06.06.2012.
Dr. Philipe Long, an another great apostole, sent me this email commenting on the passing away of Fr. Ceyrac. I think it is good to share in public:
Dear Albeiro
I am so sorry to learn the pass away from Fr. Ceyrac.
I had the occasion to see him several times when I was in refugee camps at the border from 1980 to 1984.
I did not know him personally, but he was a real personality there for his charism, his personality and devotion for the Khmer refugees. Everybody knows him there and he was a holly man, a person of love for the poor and the Khmer.
His love will be remembered for ever.