In late November 2025, the Malaysian city of Penang became the vibrant hub of a historic continental gathering as over 900 Catholic leaders and faithful from across Asia convened for the Great Pilgrimage of Hope (GPH). Organized under the auspices of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) - Office of Evangelization, the event marked a renewed effort to tell the story of Jesus in Asia, build unity among the Church in diverse cultural contexts, and inspire a new generation of evangelizers to “travel in a different way” (Mt 2:12).
At the heart of the gathering was Mr. Manoj Sunny, Executive Secretary of the FABC - Office of Evangelization and the General Convener of the Congress, whose tireless efforts over the past two years contributed significantly to the success of this ambitious event. In an hour-long interview with Radio Veritas Asia, Mr. Sunny recounted the origins, planning, and extraordinary outcomes of the gathering, offering insights into the challenges, moments of grace, and hopes for the future.
From Inspiration to Action
The idea for the GPH did not emerge overnight. Mr. Sunny traces its roots to the Mission Congress held in Chiang Mai in 2006, which he attended with his wife, who served as the event’s emcee. “I was deeply inspired by that Congress and its fruits in India and other countries,” he recalled. Mr. Sunny has been involved with the Jesus Youth Movement since its early days and served as the first international coordinator.
“My involvement with the FABC Office of Evangelization began in 2010,” he said, “and over the years, I have seen the need to create a larger platform to unite the Church in Asia around the mission of evangelization.” In 2023, he was appointed Executive Secretary of FABC-OE.
A turning point came during a May gathering of ecclesial movements in Asia, convened to prepare for the 25th anniversary of Ecclesia in Asia. Early one morning, reflecting on Cardinal Tagle’s keynote on telling the story of Jesus in Asia and Pope Francis’s emphasis on passing on faith through the storytelling of grandparents, he experienced a moment of inspiration. The idea crystallized: a continental gathering to continue the legacy of the 2006 Congress, now with a renewed focus on storytelling and evangelization across Asia.
After discussion with Bishop George Palliparambil, the Bishop-Chairman of the OE, a proposal was submitted to the FABC. By early 2024, the FABC formally approved the event, adopting the theme of FABC 50: “Journeying together as peoples of Asia… and they went a different way” (Mt 2:12). “We wanted to take this idea beyond a small bishops’ gathering or a publication,” Mr. Sunny explained. “We aimed to reach the heart of the Church in Asia.”
Selecting Penang: Strategic and Spiritual Considerations
Choosing Penang as the host city involved careful deliberation. Several countries were considered, including Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. The final decision took into account accessibility for travelers, visa regulations, cost, and the desire to host the event in a location with a minority Christian presence, offering opportunities for witness and influence.
“Penang was suggested toward the end of a conference in Malaysia,” Mr. Sunny recounted. Bishop George visited the city and received a warm welcome from Cardinal Sebastian Francis, while the Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei confirmed their support. This collaborative approach ensured both governmental and ecclesial backing, essential for managing logistics for over 800 delegates, including bishops and cardinals.
A Special Guest: Cardinal Tagle’s Participation
The event’s success was amplified by the presence of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples. Mr. Sunny described the cardinal’s participation as remarkable for its humility and engagement. Despite initial uncertainty about his schedule, Cardinal Tagle attended the full event, sitting quietly among delegates, referencing sessions in his homilies, and meeting personally with organizers.
“More than his words, it was his humble presence that made the difference,” Mr. Sunny said. “He was not just a VIP delivering a speech; he was part of the gathering, listening, learning, and encouraging. This witness shaped the tone of the entire Pilgrimage.”
Organizing Against the Odds
Organizing a continental gathering of this scale was a formidable task. Mr. Sunny candidly shared that, initially, he was largely working alone and was later assisted by a friend. With no established office or volunteer team, he personally managed communications. Coordinating representatives from dozens of countries, managing visa requirements, and ensuring accommodation for delegates proved particularly challenging.
“One of the biggest challenges was setting up a reliable communication system,” he said. “Once we had appointed contact persons for each bishop’s conference, things became more manageable. Still, there were delegates arriving in Penang without hotel bookings, requiring on-the-spot arrangements.”
Language barriers and varying levels of experience in international gatherings added complexity, but the result was a richly diverse celebration of faith and culture.
Funding the Pilgrimage
Funding came from a combination of support from international Catholic organizations, including Porticus, Missio, Church in Need, Maryknoll Fathers, and CMF. With no prior experience in fundraising, Mr. Sunny expressed gratitude for Bishop George who assumed total financial responsibility and ensured that no aspect of the Pilgrimage was affected by a lack of funds.
Moments of Grace
The Pilgrimage was punctuated by moments Mr. Sunny described as near miraculous. “Not a single visa was rejected by the Malaysian government, and there was no unnecessary hassle at immigration,” he said. “Weather predictions indicated heavy rain throughout the event, but there was none that disrupted our program. It was a sign of God’s protecting hand.”
He also highlighted the strong support from the Penang team in handling logistics and the smooth collaboration with Malaysian authorities, from local police to intelligence officers, who ensured security for delegates, including high-profile figures such as Cardinal Tagle. The event’s seamless execution was, in his view, a testament to faith, prayer, and perseverance.
Looking Toward 2033
Reflecting on his personal experience, Mr. Sunny shared how the Pilgrimage intersected with a period of serious health challenges, including dialysis and surgery. “After six months of dialysis and an angioplasty, I underwent kidney transplant surgery on November 27, 2024. In 2025, on the anniversary of the surgery, November 27, we began the Congress in Penang,” he recalled with unbelief.
“It was physically impossible from a human perspective,” he said. “Yet the Lord enabled me to serve in this project. It reminded me that it is not our abilities but God’s grace that matters.”
“Like a child, I look to Him and say, it was your will, it was your plan. He restored my health, and the process is still ongoing. It reminded me that our efforts, abilities, or efficiency mean nothing; what matters is His grace and mercy.”
A Legacy of Hope
The Great Pilgrimage of Hope exemplified the Church’s vision of unity, evangelization, and cultural diversity. From careful planning and overcoming logistical hurdles to moments of divine providence and wholehearted participation of Church leaders, the event stands as a testament to faith in action.
As the Church in Asia looks ahead to 2033, the Pilgrimage offers a blueprint: one that combines visionary leadership, collaborative effort, and trust in God’s providence to nurture the faith of future generations across the continent.
