FABC Office for Human Development holds meeting reflecting on new pathways of mission

The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) - Office for Human Development (OHD) held a meeting to reflect on new pathways of missionary work in Vietnam.

The June 5–10 meeting was held at Marian Pilgrim Center, Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, in the southeast region of Vietnam.

The focus of the meeting was to reflect on the "FABC 50 Bangkok Document and its implications for Asia.

The FABC 50 General Conference was held between October 12 and 30, 2022, at the Baan Phu Waan-Pastoral Training Center of the Bangkok Archdiocese, Thailand.

The FABC 50 Bangkok Document, the fruit of the FABC General Conference, was released on March 15, 2023.

The 40-page document comprises five parts; journeying together, looking at Asia's emerging realities, discerning what the Spirit is saying to the Church in Asia, offering our gifts, Asian culture, and spirituality, and opening new pathways.

The major section of the document deals with the issues facing the Church in Asia, including looking at Asia's emerging realities. This section prioritizes nine central facts: migrants, refugees, and indigenous people; family, gender, women, youth, digital technology, equitable economy; the climate crisis; and interreligious dialogue. to bring about harmony and peace in Asia.

The "Post FABC 50 General Conference Workshop" was meant to chart a course of actions and devise creative programs and activities in different regions of Asia, said Maryknoll Father William LaRousse, assistant secretary general of FABC.

Various national offices of Asian Episcopal Conferences also presented minutes of their activities. 

Besides, the Asian chapter of Talitha Kum shared its programs and activities during the meeting, according to Sister of St Paul de Chartres, Paula Kwandao Phonprasertruksa, the regional coordinator of Talitha Kum Asia.

Talitha Kum is an international network of Catholic nun congregations opposed to human trafficking. Its objectives include preventing human trafficking, providing protection and support, promoting awareness, and denouncing it.

The FABC Office of Human Development/Climate Change Desk organized the workshop with the collaboration of Misereor, the German Catholic Bishops' Organisation for Development Cooperation.

Bishop Emmanuel Hong Son Nguyên of the Diocese of Ba Ria, Vietnam, also joined the meeting.

The work of the gospel and the Catholic Social Teachings of the Universal Church is promoted through the FABC Office of Human Development.

It works with religious groups, lay movements, organizations that support advocacy for justice and peace, and the national offices of Asian Episcopal Conferences.

Fusing faith and living, word, and witness promotes integrated faith formation for everyone in the church. -Santosh Digal