HONG KONG (SE): The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [FABC] convened for a three-day meeting in Bangkok, Thailand from August 5 to 8. The meeting explored ways of building a synodal missionary Church in anticipation of the second session of the Synod of Bishops in October.
A total of 38 participants, coordinators and assistants from 17 Asian nations attended the meeiing, including Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., and Vanessa Cheng Siu-wai, the two synod members representing Hong Kong.
Reflecting on the deliberations in the preparatory session, Cardinal Stephen said that “Asian culture emphasises the maintenance of harmonious relationships and unity. The meeting sought to find new inspiration through unity and to embrace the path of synodality within the Church—this is the contribution of the Churches in Asia to the universal Church. Asia has nurtured a diversity of cultures and religions, and by embracing harmony, mutual appreciation, and respect for differences, we can help the universal Church understand more about the experience of walking together amidst diversity.”
The cardinal remarked that, embracing the diversity of the Church in Asia, he was keen to make the voices of the Churches in mainland China and Hong Kong known to the participants to enrich its context.
Asian culture emphasises the maintenance of harmonious relationships and unity. The meeting sought to find new inspiration through unity and to embrace the path of synodality within the Church—this is the contribution of the Churches in Asia to the universal Church
Cardinal Stephen
Though there were no delegates from mainland China in attendance, Cardinal Stephen mentioned that because Hong Kong is part of China, he felt it important to inform participants about the interactions between the Church in Hong Kong and in China, the progress of the Church on the mainland, the sentiments of the Church members, and its Sinicisation.
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“The Churches of Asia want to hear the voices of the Church in mainland China, and I tried to tell them what I know,” the cardinal said. He emphasised the importance of promoting this kind of dialogue for the Church as a whole so that the Church in mainland China can be understood without being isolated and interpreted in a biased way, which is very important for the Church.
The cardinal also clarified the misconception on the part of some participants that Hong Kong was volatile—as portrayed by the media—and said he welcomed friends from abroad to come to Hong Kong to learn and experience.
Hearing the voices of young frontline pastors
What impressed Cardinal Stephen and Cheng most was the sharing of four priests from Japan, the Philippines, India and Myanmar about their experiences at the gathering of Parish Priests for the Synod held in Rome from April 28 to May 2 in preparation for the second session of the synod.
The FABC pointed out that to be a synodal missionary Church, it is necessary to go to the forefront and the margins of society, to listen to the voices of the poor and the marginalised, and to continue the dialogue with the religions and cultures of Asia
The cardinal said he was glad that the Churches of Asia were willing to listen to the experiences of young pastors at the front line.
Cheng said she agreed as some priests, quoting Pope Francis, said during the meeting that if parishes are not synodal and missionary, then the Church will not be either. “This is not just a task, but a call to a renewal of a synodal parish life,” she said.
Common discernment in Asia
As one of the moderators, Cardinal Stephen guided the participants through four sessions of discernment in the way of conversation in the spirit, and he sensed that participants had matured after the first session in October last year and that they had become more comfortable with dialogue and finding common ground.
The participants delved into the Instrumentum Laboris [working document] to explore ways in which the Church can become a synodical missionary presence in the Asian context and to present Asian viewpoints for the second session of the Synod of Bishops.
The FABC pointed out that to be a synodal missionary Church, it is necessary to go to the forefront and the margins of society, to listen to the voices of the poor and the marginalised, and to continue the dialogue with the religions and cultures of Asia.
The cardinal said he was glad that the Churches of Asia were willing to listen to the experiences of young pastors at the front line
Cheng observed that the fruits of discernment reflected the experiences of the dioceses in Asia in promoting synodality after the end of the first session in October last year.
She indicated that the Instrumentum Laboris presented four viewpoints to the participants for contemplation. These included the foundations of a synodal missionary Church; relationships with the Lord and fellow believers; a more interconnected, concrete, participatory, and co-responsible approach to evangelisation, group discernment and decision-making in the Church; and the bonds of ecclesial unity and the service of unity of the Bishop of Rome [the pope].
“Despite our different backgrounds, the passion and endeavour of each of us in promoting synodality built up a strong bond among us”, Cheng said. She felt that one of the great rewards of the Asian meeting was the sense of fellowship and communion that was created.
Quoting Oswald Cardinal Gracias of India during the concluding Mass, she said the significant bond and fellowship that has been established among the Asian representatives is a valuable addition to the Synod of Bishops.
She hoped that this communion would continue to be a source of inspiration during the second session in October and bring hope to the Church.
“The important function of the Church in Hong Kong is to serve as a bridge Church. It is hoped that the presence of Cardinal Stephen and myself, as well as the brotherly and sisterly relationships we have developed with other participants of the Chinese-speaking Church, will bring hope and serve as a witness to the universal Church,” Cheng said.
