ASIA-VATICAN The meeting of the Federation of Catholic Episcopal Conferences of Asia begins today in Bangkok

Until October 30, 200 delegates from 29 countries will be gathered for a synodal meeting, which marks the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the FABC. At the opening Mass, Cardinal Bo affirmed “We are called to a new Epiphany in the century of Asia”. The video message of Pope Francis: “That the laity assume their baptism and respect the particularity of each of the Churches”.

Bangkok () – At the Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Center, in Sam Phran, the work of the General Conference of Asian Catholic Churches was inaugurated today, on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the FABC, the Federation of Asian Catholic Churches. Episcopal Conferences of the continent. Until October 30, 200 delegates, including cardinals, bishops and laity, from 29 Asian countries, will discuss the challenges for the Asian Churches starting from the Gospel verse “And they turned another way” (Mt 2, 12) that describes the experience. of the Magi after the encounter with Jesus on the Epiphany.

Cardinal Charles Bo, archbishop of Rangoon and president of the FABC, referred to precisely the image of a “new Epiphany” in his homily at the Mass that opened the meeting this afternoon. “Like these men who came from the East 2,000 years ago – said Cardinal Bo – today we too have a new star on the horizon, a new call, a new challenge; live in the century of Asia, in the century of Christ and of evangelization on this continent”. It is a task -he added- that may seem disproportionate compared to the extremely small number of Churches in Asia, and also compared to the importance of the problems that the continent faces today: from exploitation to regimes that erode democracies, passing by the challenges between superpowers and the migration of peoples. Cardinal Bo invited to look at them as the “burning bush” that Moses saw before him. And to receive the answer that God gave to his fears: “Do not be afraid, I will be with you.” Only in this way – he added – will it be possible to truly accept the task of this meeting “in synodal style”, which is precisely “to confirm, renew and revitalize the Church in Asia”.

Pope Francis also sent a video message to the delegates gathered for this General Conference, in which – recalling the context that led to the creation of the FABC in 1970 – he notes that at that time “the bishops observed that the masses were awakening from fatalism to a life worthy of being human being; even the young were waking up, they were idealistic, conscientious, concerned, impatient and restless; culturally diverse societies were waking up to become a true community of peoples. This meant that the Church in Asia was called to be more authentically the Church of the poor, the Church of the young, and a Church in dialogue with the Asian brothers of other confessions”.

And this challenge – the Pope continues – should also prompt us today to ask ourselves “the fundamental question: ‘what does the Spirit say to the Churches in Asia? each one of the Churches. Because the universal Church is not the uniform Church, no, it is universal respecting the particularity of each Church”.

Starting tomorrow, the first days of the FABC General Conference will be dedicated to understanding the emerging realities in the different countries: each of the 29 member countries was invited to present a paper on the current situation in their country and the challenges political, social, economic and religious issues that the Catholic Church is called to face in this context.

From October 17 to 22, the General Conference will reflect on these realities, in dialogue with the recent documents of the Magisterium. The guidance document produced by the FABC and the subsequent consultations have already highlighted some issues: the pandemic, globalization, socio-economic and political problems, gender issues, indigenous populations, the aspirations of young people and the transformation of the Church. .

On October 23 – World Mission Day – the pastors will make a “virtual visit” to some parishes in different parts of the continent. On October 26 they will make a pilgrimage to Ayutthaya in dialogue with other religious traditions. The work will end on October 30 with the presentation of a final document and a message to the Catholic communities of Asia. The concluding celebration will be presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, sent by Pope Francis as his personal delegate.