Pope Francis will meet ‘vibrant’ Church in Asia

The president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences said the papal visit to south-east Asia “demonstrates that the Asian peoples are not far from the mind and heart of the Pope”.

Speaking ahead of Pope Francis apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore on 2-13 September, Myanmar’s Cardinal Charles Maung Bo said that although “it is not always easy to live out the Christian faith in some parts of Asia”, the Church “continues to not just be alive but dynamic in different ways”.

He said the Churches in Asia “though small, are vibrant and alive”, and that the Pope’s decision to visit them “creates an opportunity for the world to get to know the Churches in these countries”.

Cardinal Bo, the Archbishop of Yangon who heads the federation representing 16 bishops’ conferences across Asia, said these Churches could offer examples to Catholics around the world. “The pathways of peace and harmony through dialogue is what Asia can offer to the Universal Church,” he said.

Commenting on the mounting environmental crises in Asian countries – such as the displacement of 300,000 people in Bangladesh by flooding last week – Cardinal Bo noted climate change as a topic “close to the heart of the Holy Father, and I am sure he will be addressing this issue”. He said the Church must be actively involved “in the promotion of climate care for the common good of all”.

In Indonesia, Fr Yustinus Sulistiadi, a representative of the Archdiocese of Jakarta, said the Pope was not expected to comment on national political issues but only subjects of global concern and “shared responsibility”.

The Pope’s schedule included a state event with President Joko Widodo, a visit to the Jakarta Istiqlal Mosque, a meeting with representatives of the Jakarta Cathedral Church, and a worship service at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Central Jakarta.

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