The 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) began on Monday in Jakarta, Indonesia, bringing together more than 120 cardinals and bishops. Running from 20 to 26 July, the assembly gathers representatives from 22 member bishops’ conferences to focus on the theme, “The Call to Synodal Conversion and the Mission to Be Bridges and Bridge-Builders in Asia.”
Mission and Regional Focus
The FABC, founded in 1970 following the visit of Pope St. Paul VI to Manila, serves as a hub for collaboration across South, Southeast, East, and Central Asia. According to the assembly’s spokesperson, Bishop Marcelino Antonio “Junie” Maralit Jr. of San Pablo, Philippines, the current gathering serves as a “synodal experience” rather than a standard conference. Participants are dedicating the week to prayer, Conversations in the Spirit, and regional meetings to address pastoral challenges, including poverty, migration, conflict, and the care for creation.
Did You Know? The FABC was established in 1970 after a meeting of Asian bishops during Pope St. Paul VI’s visit to Manila, with the goal of fostering evangelization, interreligious dialogue, and social engagement across the continent.
Building Bridges in Hostile Environments
A primary focus of the assembly is the role of the Church in regions where Christians often exist as a minority. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the FABC and Archbishop of Goa and Daman, emphasized that the Church must prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over fear when facing challenging situations. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Caloocan and Vice President of the FABC, reinforced this stance, stating that the Church’s response to social tension should be to build bridges of dialogue rather than defensive walls.
Grassroots Synodality and Future Objectives
During the opening day’s Eucharist, Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, Secretary General of the FABC and Archbishop of Tokyo, highlighted the importance of grassroots communities in living out the Gospel. Drawing on his time as President of Caritas Internationalis, he noted that synodality is a lived experience, citing a small organic farming community in Ende, Indonesia, as a practical example. The assembly aims to produce two final documents: a Vademecum on Synodality in Asia and a message to the regional Church to encourage ongoing renewal.
The assembly’s schedule includes a keynote address by Cardinal Mario Grech, a day of recollection with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and the participation of Cardinal Oswald Gracias as the Special Envoy of Pope Leo XIV. The event concludes on 26 July with a final Eucharist at Jakarta’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. Following the service, participants are scheduled to walk through the Friendship Tunnel, which connects the cathedral to the Istiqlal Mosque, as a gesture of interreligious harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary theme of the 12th Plenary Assembly?
The assembly is held under the theme, “The Call to Synodal Conversion and the Mission to Be Bridges and Bridge-Builders in Asia.”
What documents are expected to be produced by the end of the assembly?
Participants are expected to produce a Vademecum on Synodality in Asia and a Message to the Church in Asia.
What is the significance of the Friendship Tunnel?
Located between the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Istiqlal Mosque, the tunnel serves as a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to interreligious harmony.
How might the emphasis on “bridge-building” influence the daily operations of local parishes in the region?
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