'Journeying with Jesus in Asia,' book on Synodal Church released

Federation of Asian Bishops Conference President Cardinal Charles Maung Bo released a book titled ‘People of Asia Journeying with Jesus’ by presenting a copy to Cardinal Mario Greg, Secretary General of the Synod, Vatican, at Bangkok, February 24.

The 150 -page book by Father George Plathottam sdb, Executive Secretary, FABC Office of Social Communication, contains snapshots and reflections on the synod on synodality expressed in prose, verses and art. He called the book the fruit of the efforts of many people from across Asia who contributed testimonies, reflections, artwork and stories. The book reflects on various Asian realities and challenges for the Church. Cardinal Bo called the book a pastoral guide for reflection for the Church in Asia.

More than 100 Church leaders including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and lay leaders from various counties of Asia, are holding a 3-day assembly as part of the continental process of the Synod. Similar assemblies are being held in all the seven continents and the fruit of their reflections will form the basis for the working document on the Synod which will be held in Rome in October.

The Bangkok assembly is based on the document for the continental stage, Enlarge the Space of your Tent’ released by the Synod secretariate in October last year. The Asian assembly is marked by group sharing, listening and discernment interspersed with many moments of prayer and attentive listening to the Holy Spirit.

Father George Plathottam is Executive Secretary, FABC Office of Social Communication and a consultor of the Dicastery for Communication. George Plathottam is a Salesian priest with master's degrees in theology, Sociology and Journalism & Mass Communications and a PhD in Communication.