In a paper presented at the ongoing FABC Bishops’ Seminar on Synodality in Thailand, Cardinal Pablo S. David, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), has highlighted the deep resonance between two landmark Church documents: the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality (2024) and the Bangkok Document of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), released in 2022.
Cardinal David described this convergence as “providential,” noting how Asia’s ecclesial journey and the universal Church’s synodal process are intertwined. “The Bangkok Document was not only influenced by, but deeply embedded within, the Spirit of Synodality,” he said, recalling how the Asian bishops’ gathering in Bangkok coincided with the launch of Pope Francis’ synodal journey.
Both documents, he explained, are rooted in Scripture: the Bangkok Document draws inspiration from the journey of the Magi (Mt 2:1–12), while the Synod’s Final Document is guided by the resurrection encounters in John 20–21. Together, they emphasize synodality as a path of surprise, encounter, and transformation under the guidance of the Spirit.
Cardinal David outlined four key pathways of synodality that emerge strongly in the Asian context:
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With Cultures – moving from inculturation to interculturality, affirming diversity as a gift rather than a threat.
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With Religions – shifting language from “other” to “neighbor” faiths, fostering deeper dialogue and fraternity.
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With the Poor – redefining mission from being a Church “for” the poor to a Church “with” the poor, where the marginalized are agents of evangelization.
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With Creation – embracing ecological conversion as an essential part of Christian mission.
He emphasized that Asia’s contemplative spirit of discernment, marked by silence, listening, and consensus, resonates with the synodal method of Conversation in the Spirit now adopted at the global level.
“The Bangkok Document does not compete with the Synod’s Final Document,” Cardinal David concluded. “It prefigures, enriches, and confirms Asia’s contribution to the universal pilgrim Church. May we continue walking together: with cultures, with religions, with the poor, and with creation, by another way.”
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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