SINGAPORE (Agenzia Fides): “The Catholic Church in Singapore and the ‘sister Churches’ of Malaysia and Brunei are witnesses and heralds of the gospel of dialogue and peace, of a message of love and closeness to every person in Asia,” William Cardinal Goh, Archbishop of Singapore, said, on the eve of the assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [October, 12 to 30]. He observed that the Church in Asia is called to promote religious unity and harmony.
“Singapore is today an icon of religious harmony in the world, Here religious leaders and the government work side by side for the good of society. We are committed to spreading peace and unity in Singapore as in the rest of Asia, promoting dialogue among the different religions.
As followers of Christ, we are all called to work for the common good of society and of all humanity,” the cardinal said.
In a note to Fides, the cardinal noted four key points of his pastoral vision: the proclamation of Christ in Asia; proximity to the poorest and the last; new ways of interreligious dialogue for human fraternity; common action for the protection of Creation and the climate.
The first aspect, he stresses, is “the evangelising mission of the Catholic Church in Asia.”
Another priority is “embracing the marginalised, welcoming the poor and vulnerable. If society is not truly inclusive, we will not be able to make great progress towards the common good,”, he added.
Crucial to the Asian continent, is the third point: “the commitment, for all Catholics in Singapore and Asia, to promote love and unity through interreligious dialogue and the construction of a peaceful society.”
In this framework, he confirmed, the Archdiocese of Singapore would set up a specific research institute to study methodologies on how to promote friendship with other religious leaders, and then share them with the bishops of the Asian continent, who look to Singapore as a model for a fruitful pluralism.
Finally, integral ecology and the safeguarding of Creation are important issues for the future of Asia, a continent marked by environmental disasters and natural disasters, where Christians, led by the encyclical, Laudato Sì, are called to show greater sensitivity towards environmental issues and the culture of “caring for the common home.”
