On the sixth and final day of discussions on the “Emerging Realities in Asia” the Bishops focused on pastoral priorities of the Church in Asia in the light of the discussions over the week.
Plenary discussions presided over by Cardinal Gracias presented and discussed the common data collected from the group discussions, which included courage as a minority, active listening, openness, harmony, dialogue and reconciliation, a united Church, the Asian-ness of the Church, ongoing formation, focus on the young people, ecology, migration, witnessing and spiritual formation, and the poor.
Other sessions that followed talked about refugee crisis, climate emergency and the dialogical imperative.
Naoko Murayama, Regional Coordinator of East Asia and Oceania of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, speaking about the refugee crisis, suggested ways by which the representatives could respond, asking them to learn, listen, support and collaborate.
Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, founder and Director Emeritus of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), speaking on the topic, ‘The Climate Emergency: Risks and Responses’, provided comprehensive insights on the documentation of climate change, the global decisions taken, how climate change is measured, and its effects.
Prof. Schellnhuber also highlighted a tentative timeline during which change was still possible, and concrete measures that could be taken in response.
Monsignor Indunil J Kodithuwakku K, secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, spoke on the importance of creating open dialogue, especially in a continent as diverse as Asia.
On Mission Sunday, October 23rd, the shepherds of Asia will make ‘virtual visits’ to parishes in different member countries, to guarantee that deliberations do not remain theoretical, and to uphold the duty of building up the Kingdom through loving service.
The FABC will spend the following week discerning and envisioning new pathways for the Church and working for a better Asia, with experts guiding the delegates through new methodologies.
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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