History of Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang.
The Holy See established this Prefecture on September 26, 1968, entrusting it to Mgr. Paul Tep Im Sotha, as Apostolic Prefect.  This Prefecture covers 8 provinces, namely Battambang, Pursat, Kompong Chhnang, Kompong Them, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey and Banteay
Meanchey.
Mgr. Paul Tep Im Sotha was born in Phnom Penh in 1934. He made his seminary studies in France and his theology in Pome. He was ordained a priest in 1959 and took care of the Khmer Catholics in Phnom Penh (St. Mary's Parish). On September 26, 1968 he took charge as the Apostolic Prefect of Battambang. He was killed together with one of his priests, Benedictine Fr. Jean Badre in May 1975 at Bat Trang in Mongolborei district of  Banteay Meanchey province.
Bishop Yves Ramousse, Apostolic Delegate since December 21, 1992, served as the Administrator of
the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang until July 2, 2000.
He appointed Pr. Bernard Dupraz, a priest of the diocese of Chambery, France as his Vicar Delegate. Born on July 29, 1961 and ordained a priest on May 20, 1990, he came to Cambodia as a 'Fidei Donum" priest. He reorganized the Catholic communities and was at the same time President
of the Major Seminary until it moved to Phnom Penh in November 1998.  The presence of the seminarians was important to the rebuilding of the Catholic communities. His successor as Vicar Delegate was Tonlop Sophal, born on 18 August 1953 and ordained on 2 July 1995.  The only
Cambodian priest in the country, Tonlop Sophal's diocese of incardination is Battambang and he is currently parish priest there.
On July 2, 2000 Enrique Figaredo of the Society of Jesus was installed as Apostolic Prefect of Battambang.

Catholic Communities in the Battambang Diocese:

1.- Battambang Province - three communities: Ta Hen, Ta Pung and Battambang City.
2.- Banteay Neanchey Province - three communities:  Svay Sisophon, Chomnon and Poipet
3.- Pursat Province - one community.
4.- Siem Reap Province - one Community.
5.- Kompong Them Province - seven communities:  Kompong Them City, Balang, Kompong Rotes, Prek Sbeuv,  Tang Kauk, Kompong Ko, Mniv.
6.- Preah Vihear Province - no Catholic Community
7.- Oddar Meanchey Province - no Catholic Community
8.- Kompong Chhnang Province- one community.

In addition to this there are a number of locations with Catholic families that are not yet organized as a community: Paiiin City, Kompong Luong (fishing village), Knay Romeas, Siem Reap Lake, Chrab Viel.

Pastoral Workers

The people in charge of the pastoral services of the Diocese are:
Fr. Tonlop Sophal, based in Battambang,  assisted by Fr. France Legnani (PIME), based in
Kompong Them. Fr. Hernán Pinilla, Fr. Robert Piché, Fr. Olivier (MEP) and Fr. Xavier (MEP) are in the prefecture provisionally, learning Khmer in different communities and supporting them.
Two groups of Sisters from Thailand and the Philippines are starting to work in Battambang City and
Kompong Them communities.
Two Sisters of Providence (Cambodians) are working in the diocese and are based in Battambang. One
of them, Sr. Cecile, is working full time in Jesuit Service.
One 'Auxiliary of the Apostolate ' is given to Caritas in Siem Reap by her diocese in Namur, Belgium.
Fr. Joaquin Salord sj is director of Jesuit Service in Siem Reap and Fr. Greg Priyadi sj continues
his language study in Banteay Meanchey. Jesuit Scholastics are also working in Sisophon and Siem
Reap.
Catholic NGO's working in the Diocese of Battambang.
With offices and permanent staff: Jesuit Service, Caritas, CRS, COERR, Don Bosco.
Number of Catholics. (approx.)
In Cambodia: 25,000 (of  which 17,000 are ethnic Vietnamese).
In the Diocese of Battambang: 7,000 (ethnic Khmer and Vietnamese).

Other Information.
The largest part of the Cambodian population are farmers, raising rice crops.
The largest part of the returnees from the refugee camps in Thailand are from Battambang, Siem Reap,
Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey.
These provinces (together with Kompong Speu) are the provinces most affected by landmines and with
the highest number of amputees.