An Overview of Christianity and the Khmer Language

Christianity’s history in Cambodia is relatively recent compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, beginning with the arrival of Roman Catholic missionaries from Portugal and Spain in the 16th century. However, due to Cambodia’s strong Buddhist heritage, Christianity remained limited and had little impact for centuries. It wasn’t until the 20th century that Protestant missions gained a foothold, especially after Cambodia gained independence in 1953, when Protestant and Catholic missions expanded their work. The Bible was translated into Khmer to support these efforts, allowing Cambodians to read Christian texts in their native language.

The Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979) brought severe repression of all religions, and many Christians, along with other religious communities, faced persecution and loss. After the regime fell, Christian missions returned, and small Christian communities began to re-establish themselves. In the 1990s, renewed missionary efforts and the availability of the Khmer Bible played a key role in supporting the growth of Christianity in Cambodia. While Christianity remains a minority religion, the Khmer language Bible and Christian literature are crucial resources for Cambodian Christians today, contributing to the faith's quiet but steady growth within the country.