FABC at 50

The Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC) saw at its 50th general conference the challenges the Church in Asia faces today and the need for people of expertise to confront them.

The Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC) saw at its 50th general conference the challenges the Church in Asia faces today and the need for people of expertise to confront them.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Convenor of the FABC 50 General Conference, released the Bangkok document and described it as a spiritual document, which is the fruit of prayer, discernment, and spiritual conversation.”

FABC 50 General Conference document on ‘Journeying Together as People of Asia’ will be launched online by Cardinal Charles Bo, on March 15, at 5:00 PM (Myanmar Time).

Fifty years later, we realize that dialogue has become not only relevant but also indispensable to a world that has grown more fragmented and prone to violent conflict.

We, the Pastors of the Catholic Church in Asia, share this message of joy, hope, and solidarity with you, Peoples of Asia.

On the third day of  the ‘Envisaging New Pathways’ FABC General Conference, discussed the first drafts of the Final Message and of the schema of the Final Document, as well as the FABC Structure.

A new edition of the Bible for young people was launched on the sideline of the general conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) in Thailand on Friday, Oct. 21.

Asia’s Catholic leaders gathered in Thailand are working on a new document that outlines their work and mission in the years ahead.

Syro-Malabar Holy Mass, officiated by Cardinal George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, along with other Archbishops and Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church was celebrated at the FABC General Conference on October 25.

Reflecting on the FABC 50 theme ‘... and they went a different way,’ Leslie D’Souza invited the Bishops to be ‘new-age Magis,’ who will forge a new path forward for the Church in Asia.

The Catholic Church is supposed to be universal and Pope Francis is making that word finally mean something with the recent appointment of a number of Asian cardinals, the region’s top church leaders said.

FABC General Council group discussions 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.

Holy Father’s emphasis on synodality means everyone walking together with no exclusions, a Synod of the Church, where the consultation of people become the heart of the Synod, and where Christ and His mission remains at the centre of the Church

Cardinal Bo stressed the need for the Church to be reactive, to be an agent of peace, initiating dialogue, advocating for equality, and standing up to power with ‘empty hands.’ Mentioning that ‘every jubilee calls for metanoia, the Cardinal challenged the delegates to ‘fight for peace’ and to let peace-making be the new evangelization.’

A Japanese bishop who attended the ongoing general conference in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), says it provides a "pastoral perspective" of the church.

FABC General Conference on October 19 discussed the pastoral significance of faith-rich encounters, digital media in ministry, the need for paradigm shifts in the formation of clergy, and the importance of pastoral care of families.

Youth delegates at FABC General Conference highlighted the importance of the youth being considered as more than just a task force, and the hope that elders and Church leaders will provide spiritual guidance and be kind to the growth of the youth.

The pandemic revealed that the Church is vulnerable to pain, suffering and change, but is a Church of Paschal mystery and Synodality, moving towards healing and togetherness. Pandemic revealed new pastoral pathways in programs of dialogue, formation, digital evangelisation, ecological conservation, and reviving the liturgy to be personal to each person.

"The Catholic Church in Thailand is a small church but a powerful church that is able to bear witness to the Gospel, that is capable of hosting a major event like the FABC General Conference during its Golden Jubilee celebration.” Cardinal George Alencherry, the head of the Syro Malabar Church,  lauded the Church in Thailand for its faithful and powerful witness.