Philippines: East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila celebrates its 60th anniversary
The East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) began its 60th anniversary celebrations with a solemn Mass and a two-day seminar at Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines.
EAPI is an international apostolate of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.
Cardinal Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman (India), president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, and member of the Vatican Synod Council, presided over the opening Mass on Aug. 15.
Friends, benefactors, and returning alumni of EAPI gathered to launch the one-year celebration of its mission. It was an occasion for the faith community to give thanks and look ahead with hope. For six decades, EAPI has journeyed with the Church in mission and service.
A Strategic Futures Seminar, with the theme “Discerning the Spirit, Listening to the People of God: 60 Years of Pastoral Leadership Formation in EAPI,” was held Aug. 16–17, 2025, under the leadership of EAPI director Fr. John Chong, SJ.
The two-day gathering brought together EAPI alumni, Church leaders, and mission partners to reflect on the future of pastoral mission in Asia and the strategic directions for EAPI.
The keynote speakers were Charles Bertille, former executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei (CBCMSB), and Sr. Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops since 2021, who shared their experiences and insights.
Over the past six decades, EAPI has been committed to enriching the personal, spiritual, and professional development of pastoral leaders, workers, and missionaries from many countries.
“This gathering was designed as an opportunity for all to reflect on the journey, considering the call to become a more synodal Church and to follow where God’s Spirit is leading us in our 60-year-old ministry,” said Fr. Chong.
“The Strategic Futures Seminar offered our valued friends and stakeholders a process of institutional apostolic discernment so that we can truly, in the spirit of synodality, listen to one another,” he added.
An EAPI Grand Alumni Homecoming is scheduled for September 2026 to conclude the festivities.
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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