FABC Plenary Assembly: ‘Synodal Spirituality’ Needed to Address Corruption, Clericalism in Asia

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) emphasized the vital role of promoting the spirit of synodality to address corruption and clericalism in Asia.

In a press conference during the opening of the FABC’s 12th plenary assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 20, the Asian bishops vowed to reflect and discern further about these rampant issues in many Asian countries today.

According to Filipino Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, FABC vice president and chairman of its Commission for Synodality, there has to be “co-responsibility” between the clergy and laypeople for the Church’s mission to bear fruit.

“Co-responsibility in mission… will reorient the ordained ministers to acknowledge also the many other gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed especially upon the laity and the religious as well,” he said.

The Synod’s Final Document on Asia noted that clericalism is “one of the causes of a lack of synodality” in the continent, which is primarily felt in the “sense of entitlement shown by those in authority.”

The cardinal further emphasized that priests are not “higher Christians” than laypeople but equal with them in dignity through baptism.

In addition, Indian Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, FABC president, shared that they have formulated a new pastoral plan in India dedicated on fostering communion and building participatory structures based on the Sacrament of Baptism.

“Synodality is not so much a strategy, but a methodology,” he explained. “It’s a spirituality based on baptism where we are all equal. But there is a long way to go for all of us.”

Furthermore, Cardinal David said that it is the FABC’s mission to create a concrete connection between the expression of faith and social responsibility to finally dismantle systemic corruption.

“There is a huge gap between the practice of the faith and our action in society,” he pointed out. “The connection between the two is something we must establish, and it's part of our moral and spiritual leadership in the FABC.”

According to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) from Transparency International, Asia possesses “high levels of corruption” that remain largely unaddressed over the past decade.

In fact, 21 out of 31 Asian nations scored below CPI’s global average index score of 42, including India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

For this year’s plenary assembly, the FABC has chosen the theme "The Call to Synodal Conversion and the Mission of Being Bridges and Bridge-Builders in Asia." During this week-long gathering of Asian bishops, they aim to seek new ways of evangelization for one of the world’s most diverse regions.

FABC also announced its plan to produce a final document that will serve as a practical roadmap on Asian synodality.