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Full text: FABC general conference’s message to the peoples of Asia

We, the Pastors of the Catholic Church in Asia, share this message of joy, hope, and solidarity with you, Peoples of Asia. We are grateful for the blessings that God has showered on Asia through our Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) comprising 17 Episcopal Conferences and two Synods of Oriental Churches. “Journeying together as Peoples of Asia” was the theme of our conference in which we sought to reaffirm our journey of the past 50 years, revitalize the Church, and envision new pathways of service. We are deeply thankful to the Royal Thai Government for the warm welcome and for honouring our general conference with the presence of the Minister of Culture during the opening ceremony. We express our deep appreciation to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, especially the Archdiocese of Bangkok, for hosting the FABC 50 General Conference. We were happy to have with us representatives of the Holy See and other Continental Conferences. It was a fruitful time of praying, listening, discerning, and encouraging each other. It was also a moment of healing from the pain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through our discussions and deliberations at the conference, we touched the soul of Asia. At the same time, we were inspired by the hope, courage, and determination shown by the Churches in Asia to journey together and work with more dedication for a better Asia. We were challenged by the different voices of our multifaceted continent that we hear crying out for help and justice: the sufferings of the poor, deprived, and marginalized longing for a dignified life,the anguish of refugees, migrants, displaced and indigenous peoples seeking genuine human dignity and safe places,the groaning of nature with wounds of exploitation, climate change, and global warming, pleading for being more adequately cared for,the dream of youth seeking for more significant roles in the Church and society,the voices of women asking for a more inclusive Church that respects their dignity and recognizes their rightful place,the desire of families looking for better stability and more support from all. We are also deeply concerned about: the pain and suffering of some churches that need to receive relief through our empathy and solidarity;the rising voices of extremism that need to be responded to wisely;the urgent need for a greater respect for life to be inculcated in society;the escalating violence and conflicts in our continent that call for dialogue and reconciliation;a society that is challenged by the digital revolution, which has impacted all both positively and negatively. In prayer and in a spirit of collaboration, we desire to respond to these challenges by relying on the power of love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness. We believe that peace and reconciliation is the only way forward. We have envisaged new pathways for our ministry based on mutual listening and genuine discernment. Inspired by the Gospel and by the recent teachings of Pope Francis: We commit ourselves to reach out to the peripheries. We are called to serve the most needy joyfully.We are called to a pastoral and ecological conversion to positivelyrespond to “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”We wish to live out the spirit of complementarity and harmony by listening to others in genuine dialogue.We seek to promote a culture of peace and harmony in collaboration...

Miao, 22 October 2022: A unique edition of the Bible for the youth was released on Friday at the backdrop of the General Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), currently underway at Bangkok, Thailand. The special edition of the Bible for the young people across the world, named ‘Identity: Identified, Navigating the Challenges of Life’ was presented to the Assembly by Bishop George Pallipparambil SDB, the Chairman of the Commissions for Evangelization and Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, Malaysia. Presenting the Bible, which has been created as a follow-up to the Synod on the Youth in 2018, Bishop George of Miao diocese in India said, “What makes Identity: Identified unique is not only the numerous highlighting of passages throughout it but also the inclusion of 24 four-page inserts of Catholic teaching on the big issues in life that young people face, and that were identified during the Synod on Youth. The issues of loneliness, rejection, suicide, making good choices, living in a sexualised world, where is God when it hurts, why am I here, are topics of discussion with references from the Bible”. Terming the Bible as a work of innovative idea, Bishop George said, “What makes this Bible even more unique is that there are more than 30 QR codes. Scanning them will take the reader to video clips which have both young and older people talking about challenges in life and their favourite Bible passages that have helped them cope and identify God’s plan for them”. The special Bible is result of a combined collaboration of Cardinal John Dew of Wellington, New Zealand, John Bergin, the Liaison Consultant of United Bible Societies, Asia-Pacific and the Office of Evangelization of FABC, with contribution from several Bishops and theologians throughout the region such Archbishop Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng of Kuching, Malaysia, Bishop Broderick Soncuaco Pabillo of the Vicar Apostolic of Taytay in Philippines and Late Cardinal Cornelis Sim of Brunei. Available in both printed and digital version, the Identity: Identified has an introductory message from Pope Francis, who also received one of the first copies of this Bible. Various Episcopal Conferences are already translating it to their own languages, said Bishop George. “I am sure that this little effort will bear rich fruits as it will help people to personalize the Word of God and reduce overdependence on other”. Calling it a great achievement in digital apostolate without ignoring the traditional print media, Archbishop Poh said, “I am sure that ‘Identity: Identified’ is going to be a great wealth in the hands of the youth of Asia Pacific”. The release of this unique Bible has created huge enthusiasm among the youth. Josephine Magdalyn Taan, the Youth Secretary of the Malaysian Bishops’ Conference said, “This New Testament is a great tool for the youth of today” and Antony Judy, the President of Indian Catholic Youth Movement said, “I have gone through and tried a number of bar codes. It is a perfect help for the young”. The FABC opened its General Conference on 12 October with a Eucharistic Celebration at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre in Bangkok. Two hundred delegates representing 29 Asian countries are meeting until 30 October celebrating the 50 years of the Conference’s history, discussing on the theme “Journeying Together as Peoples of...

The FABC opened its General Conference on 12 October with a Eucharistic Celebration at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre in Bangkok. Two hundred delegates representing 29 Asian countries are meeting until 30 October celebrating the 50 years of the Conference’s history. “Journeying Together as Peoples of Asia” is the Conference theme. Century of Good News to Asia Cardinal Charles Bo, FABC President, delivered the inaugural address the next day, calling the Conference a “Pentecostal moment”, and “a glorious moment for the Asian Church”. He called on his fellow Asian disciples of Christ to continue in the footsteps of “great men like the Apostle Thomas, Francis Xavier and countless men and women who have generously offered their service in the integral evangelization ministry”. The task ahead of the Asian Church, he said, is to “make this a century of Jesus’ Good News to the whole of Asia”.13/10/2022 Summary of Cardinal Bo’s homily during the FABC General Conference opening Mass Working for a better Asia Cardinal Oswald Gracias spoke the same day calling the General Conference a “momentous step” and a “landmark for the FABC”. “We come together”, he continued, “in the spirit of Synodality to conduct our first ever General Conference” after 11 Plenary Assemblies. He explained that the inspiration to hold the Conference comes from the journey of CELAM, their Latin America counterpart. Pope Francis, Cardinal Gracias said, was enthusiastic when he shared the proposal with him and “gave wholehearted support and encouragement”. The Cardinal introduced the first part of the Conference’s work as a week “discerning and envisioning new pathways for the Church working for a better Asia”.12/10/2022 Pope Francis’s video message to the FABC General Conference Visiting Asia Each day this week has begun with morning prayer conducted remotely by a group from the host country of the day. Daughters of St Paul from India, Pakistan and the Philippines have been among these groups. Then various delegations from the countries making up the FABC report to the assembly in order to get to know “emerging realities”, and to identify “commonalities” and “differences”. Visiting the world On Friday, Caritas Internationalis’ Secretary General, Aloysius John, provided delegates with an overview of Caritas throughout Asia, the challenges it is facing and the role the network can play in the Church. Archbishop Grusas, representing their European counterpart CCEE, provided a comparative overview of the Church in Europe, including the tasks it has identified. A representative of the US Bishops’ Conference commended the FABC in his words on Saturday. FABC participants also heard from Dr. Gabriel Dy-Liacco, President of the Catholic Safeguarding Institute, and from Msgr. Ramon Masculino Junior, a specialist in safeguarding spirituality who highlighted the Institute’s work and urged “representatives to take concrete action in their home countries.” Virtual Talk Show Newly-created Cardinal William Goh celebrated Sunday Mass and “stressed the importance of prayer, and the clergy and laity journeying onward together” in his homily. Shedding light on the reality of the flock the FABC serves, 16 panelists from 13 Asian countries, from every walk of life and social condition then connected with FABC delegates for a live Virtual Talk Show. Show host Bishop Allwyn D’Silva invited the panelists to share their realities, and asked those in the audience to consider “who can I be a neighbour to”. Pastoral reflection...

Lazu: Miao diocese in Arunachal Pradesh ordained its first catholic priest of indigenous origin at the general ground, Lazu in Tirap district on 10 October. Father Vincent Rangwang, who belongs to the Ollo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, was ordained priest by Bishop George Pallipparambil at his home Parish at Lazu in Tirap district in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop Dennis, priests, among others. Congratulating Father Vincent Rangwang on becoming the first tribal priest to be ordained from Miao diocese, Bishop George said, “This indeed is a proud moment for the Ollo community and for everyone in the diocese. However, Father Vincent now belongs not just to the Ollo community but to the whole world.” Father Rangwang has been ordained a priest for the Congregation of Missionaries of Compassion (MOC) based in Aliabad, Hyderabad. “Even though you have your strong tribal roots, now the whole world is your family. May you sanctify yourself daily to lead all the people to God,” the Salesian prelate told the new priest. Father Rangwang, the eldest of the three children of Khopok and Pojen Rangwang from Sinnu village in Lazu Circle, joined the MOC in 2011 after completing his schooling in Khonsa, the district headquarter of Tirap. He later studied Philosophy and Theology at Holy Spirit Major Seminary, Eluru in Andhra Pradesh. Many local leaders expressed joy over the ordination of a Priest from the Ollo tribe, one of the smallest tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. “As an Ollo tribesman, I feel overwhelmed with joy today. It is now like seeing the first fruit of our years of perseverance in faith and a dream come true,” said Azet Yangli Humtok, a senior church leader in the Tirap district. “This indeed is a joyful moment for all of us from our small OIlo tribe. I am sure this will inspire many young people from our village to take up religious calling,” said Sethok Thinyan, a youth leader from Lazu. According to the latest survey conducted in 2022, the total population of the Ollo tribe is 11,665 and they mostly inhabit 12 villages under Lazu circle, the last administrative circle of Arunachal Pradesh towards Myanmar, which is 10 km from the border. The president of Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association (APCA), Taw Tebin and new president of Arunachal Christian Forum Tarh Miri Stephen were present for the ordination ceremony and congratulated the newly ordained and his parents with letters of appreciation. “It is a historic moment for the catholic church in Arunachal Pradesh. We pray for Father Vincent Rangwang for God’s blessings to help him spread the message of love, peace, and kindness of the Lord in every corner of the world,” said the APCA president. Father Rangwang now becomes the third catholic priest from Arunachal Pradesh. Father Roshan Bamin Peter from the Apatani tribe ordained in May 2022 and Father Francis Belo from the Galo tribe ordained in 2008 are from the Itanagar diocese in west Arunachal...

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