Bishops, Church leaders, and experts from across Asia have converged at the Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Center in Sampran, Thailand, for a weeklong seminar on Synodality, running from September 22 to 26, 2025.
The gathering, organized under the theme of fostering “conversion of relations, processes, and bonds,” seeks to deepen the Church’s understanding and practice of synodality across the continent. It brings together Cardinals, Bishops, clergy, religious, and lay leaders who have been actively engaged in the synodal journey initiated by Pope Francis.
The seminar opened on Monday, September 22, with the Eucharist presided over by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferraõ of India, followed by fellowship among participants.
On Tuesday, September 23, Cardinal Ferraõ presided over the first full day of sessions, with Sr. Lalitha Thomas, STJ, facilitating. Highlights included inputs from Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of the Philippines on correlating the Synod’s Final Document with the Bangkok Document, and Professor Bong Baybado on the reception of the synodal pathway across Asia. Archbishop Gilbert Garcera later addressed leadership in a synodal Church.
The second day seminar will focus on the conversion of processes. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David will serve as session president, with Ms. Momoko Nishimura facilitating. Presentations included Dr. Christina Kheng’s reflections on discernment and decision-making, and Fr. Clarence Devadass’s input on transparency and accountability in a synodal Church in Asia.
On Thursday, September 25, participants will turn to the conversion of bonds. Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), will preside over the day’s sessions. Fr. Vimal Tirimanna, CSsR, will give the main input on strengthening bonds within the Church in Asia.
Each day is marked by prayer, personal reflection, and the practice of Conversation in the Spirit, ensuring that dialogue is rooted in discernment and communion.
The event will close on Friday, September 26, with a departure Mass presided over by Bishop Raymond Kingsley Wickramasinghe of Sri Lanka.
Through this seminar, the Asian Church continues to strengthen its synodal journey, seeking to embody greater participation, accountability, and unity as it responds to the pastoral realities of the region.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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