Asia synod urges churches to address 'emerging realties'

Churches in Asia need to play an active role in addressing pressing realities including migrants, refugees, indigenous peoples, climate change, family issues, women, and youth, Asian bishops said in their synod document published on 15 March.

The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) released the 40-page “Bangkok Document”, a compilation of the discussions held during the federation’s general conference in the Thai capital last October, at an online event.

The document is to be presented during the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican later this year. Federation president Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon said the document highlights “the various emerging realities confronting the Church in Asia, and envisioning a new pathway for the future”.

Filipino Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, the coordinator of the documentation committee, said the document is divided into five parts based on the biblical narrative of the three Magi. These are journeying together, looking, discerning, offering gifts, and making new pathways.

The first part draws inspiration from the Synod on Synodality, he said, endorsing “FABC’s long-standing affirmation to triple-dialogue: namely with religion, culture, and the poor of Asia”.

The synod identified ten challenges that require special attention on the continent: accompanying migrants, refugees, and indigenous people; attention to family; gender issues; new women leadership roles in the Asian Church; youth; effective use of digital technology; an economy based on inclusive growth; care for the natural world; dialogue and reconciliation; and clergy formation.

In the last section it identified five pathways that the FABC aims to take.

The pathways are: from dominative to “inculturated” evangelisation; from basic Christian communities to ecclesial communities that promote basic human communities; from dialogue to synodality; from proclamation to storytelling; and from beaten tracks to new pastoral priorities.

The document will now be circulated across all dioceses and parishes in Asia.