As the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) prepares for its 12th Plenary Assembly in Jakarta, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Vice President of FABC, said the Church is called to become “builders of communion” rather than “architects of Babel,” echoing Pope Leo XIV’s message to the Churches of Asia.
In a reflection released ahead of the assembly, the cardinal welcomed the Holy Father’s message and the appointment of Cardinal Oswald Gracias as the Pope’s Special Envoy to the gathering. He said the papal message resonated deeply with the work already undertaken by the FABC Committee for Synodality as it discerned the theme of synodal conversion for the assembly.
Cardinal David recalled that the committee had reflected on two Gospel figures as possible icons of the synodal journey: Zaccheus, whom Jesus calls to “come down,” and Nathanael, whose encounter with Christ leads him to see “greater things.” Although the Central Committee ultimately chose Nathanael as the assembly’s guiding inspiration, Cardinal David said the two figures represent complementary stages of the same path of conversion.
“Zaccheus represents the descent: coming down from the trees of pride, privilege, and self-reliance,” he said. “Nathanael represents the ascent: the opening of our eyes to ‘greater things’ through a personal encounter with Christ.”
For the cardinal, the Pope’s call to build communion rather than repeat the divisions symbolized by the Tower of Babel offers another way of expressing the same journey of synodal conversion. He said the Church is invited to place God at the horizon of every decision while keeping the human person at its center, without fear of engaging the realities and challenges of the modern world.
Cardinal David said Christ is the true bridge between God and humanity, and that authentic synodal conversion means allowing oneself to be drawn into Christ’s way of building bridges, with peoples, cultures, religions, the poor, and the whole of creation.
Reflecting on Asia’s rich diversity, the cardinal said the continent has a unique contribution to offer the universal Church. Rather than seeking uniformity, he said, the Churches of Asia are called to witness to communion through dialogue, encounter, and mutual respect.
Cardinal David concluded by expressing hope that the FABC Plenary Assembly would help the Church “see greater things” in the spirit of Nathanael, as bishops and faithful continue walking together in “communion, participation, and mission,” entrusting the gathering to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
