Friendship Tunnel Becomes Living Symbol of Synodality at FABC Assembly Closing

The final act of the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) took place not inside a church but beneath Jakarta's streets.

After the closing Eucharistic celebration at Jakarta Cathedral on July 26, cardinals, bishops, priests, religious, and lay delegates walked through the Friendship Tunnel to the nearby Istiqlal Mosque, Indonesia's largest mosque. The brief journey became a powerful expression of the assembly's theme, "Synodal Conversion and the Mission to Be Bridges and Bridge-Builders in Asia."

Connecting Jakarta Cathedral and Istiqlal Mosque, the Friendship Tunnel has become an internationally recognized symbol of interreligious harmony, linking two places of worship that stand opposite each other in the heart of the Indonesian capital.

Upon arriving at Al-Fattah Gate, the delegates removed their shoes before entering the mosque, where they were welcomed by Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs and Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, Prof. Dr. KH. Nasaruddin Umar.

The delegation toured the mosque's main prayer hall, learned about its history and architectural vision, and visited the Grand Terrace, where the mosque and cathedral can be seen standing side by side. The group also viewed the mosque's giant bedug, a traditional ceremonial drum that remains an important part of Indonesia's Islamic heritage.

The visit concluded with a dialogue between the FABC delegates and the Grand Imam.

Addressing the gathering, Nasaruddin said authentic religious faith should lead believers to serve others rather than create division.

"To be a good Muslim or a good Catholic is to bring goodness to others," he said.

He urged religious communities to work together in defending human dignity, promoting peace, and building a better future for coming generations, saying differences should become opportunities for mutual enrichment rather than conflict.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the special envoy of Pope Leo XIV to the assembly, thanked the Grand Imam for the warm welcome and described the visit as a valuable lesson in openness and friendship.

"We have learned from your generosity, your openness, and your service," Cardinal Gracias said.

Reflecting on the shared spiritual foundations of Christianity and Islam, he said both the Bible and the Qur'an lead believers toward God and call them to become instruments of peace.

"Our task is to build harmony and work together for a better world," he said.

Cardinal Gracias said the Friendship Tunnel represents far more than an architectural connection between two religious sites.

"It is a living witness that religious leaders can walk together, collaborate, and strengthen one another in building a more peaceful world," he said. "This is our calling, our commitment, and our challenge today."

For many delegates, the visit transformed the assembly's discussions on synodality into a concrete experience. After a week of reflecting on listening, dialogue, and communion, they ended the gathering by crossing a passage designed to unite two faith communities.

The symbolic walk from the cathedral to the mosque echoed one of the assembly's central messages: that the Church's mission in Asia is not only to proclaim the Gospel but also to foster friendship, dialogue, and cooperation across religious and cultural boundaries.

As the delegates returned to their local Churches across Asia, they carried home more than memories of the weeklong assembly. Their final journey through the Friendship Tunnel offered a lasting reminder that synodality is lived not only within the Church but also through respectful encounter with neighbors of other faiths—a witness especially relevant in Asia's rich religious diversity