FABC Pastoral Letter Calls Asia to Action Amid Deepening Ecological Crisis

The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) has issued a powerful and timely Pastoral Letter addressing the urgent ecological challenges confronting Asia on March 15.

Released ahead of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 and marking a decade since Laudato Si’, the letter is a bold invitation to every local Church in Asia to embark on a missionary journey of ecological conversion and action.

Signed by FABC President Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Vice President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, and Secretary General Cardinal Isao Kikuchi, SVD, the letter echoes the growing concern over the accelerating environmental degradation in the region and its disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable communities.

Asia’s Ecological Wounds: A Cry from the Margins
The FABC outlines the gravity of Asia's ecological crisis:

• Forests are vanishing in countries like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and the Philippines, pushing countless species to the brink of extinction.
• Rising seas are swallowing coastal areas in the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, displacing millions.
• Severe droughts and water scarcity afflict South Asia and Central Asia, threatening livelihoods and food security.
• Air pollution chokes urban centers across the continent, exacerbating health risks.
• Extreme weather events are intensifying, undermining agricultural systems and deepening poverty.

“These afflictions cry out to the Church,” the letter states, “demanding not only ecological awareness but a moral and spiritual transformation.”

From Affliction to Action: A Pathway of Conversion
The Pastoral Letter calls for urgent ecological conversion rooted in justice, solidarity, and synodality.

Recognizing that the poor are disproportionately affected by ecological degradation, the FABC urges:

• A commitment to climate justice by advocating for policies that hold polluters accountable.
• Support for climate adaptation and financing mechanisms to aid vulnerable communities.
• Mobilization of the faithful to push for stronger environmental legislation and debt relief for heavily burdened nations.
• Participation in international platforms like COP 30 in Belem, Brazil, where Asian Churches are urged to actively contribute to global climate negotiations.

Season of Creation 2025: Cultivating Hope
In preparation for the Season of Creation (September 1 – October 4), the FABC invites dioceses and communities across Asia to celebrate creation and deepen ecological spirituality. Suggested actions include:

• Grassroots formation programs to educate parishioners on ecological responsibility.

• Eco-spiritual activities such as prayer services, nature walks, and reflection gatherings.

• Adoption of sustainable lifestyle choices to reduce environmental footprints.

Signs of Hope on the Horizon
Despite the overwhelming ecological challenges, the FABC points to signs of hope and resilience:

• Growing youth-led ecological initiatives are making waves at the local and national levels.

• Faith-based and interfaith collaborations are fostering solidarity for climate action.

• Communities are rediscovering indigenous wisdom and sustainable practices rooted in harmony with nature.

“God is with us in this mission,” the FABC affirms, encouraging all to walk the Pilgrimage of Hope, inspired by the Holy Spirit and guided by the Blessed Mother.

A United Call for Asia
As Asia’s diverse Churches stand at a critical crossroads, the FABC’s Pastoral Letter is a rallying cry for collective action—an urgent call to protect "our common home" and the most vulnerable among us.