FABC Plenary Assembly opens in Jakarta, calling the Church in Asia to be “bridge-builders”

By Fr. Kasmir Nema, SVD – Jakarta

The Assembly is taking place from 20 to 26 July under the theme, “The Call to Synodal Conversion and the Mission to Be Bridges and Bridge-Builders in Asia.” It brings together representatives of the FABC’s 22 member bishops’ conferences and ecclesiastical jurisdictions.

Participants are reflecting on how local Churches can deepen synodality and strengthen dialogue, reconciliation, and missionary outreach in Asia’s diverse cultural and religious contexts.

Founded in 1970 after the meeting of Asian bishops during the visit of Pope St. Paul VI to Manila, the FABC promotes collaboration among the local Churches of South, Southeast, East, and Central Asia. Since then, it has fostered evangelization, interreligious dialogue, theological reflection, and social engagement throughout the region.

According to information shared with Radio Veritas Asia during the opening press conference, the Assembly is designed as a synodal experience rather than simply a conference. Participants will spend the week in prayer, Conversations in the Spirit, regional meetings, and group discussions. They will reflect on pastoral challenges such as poverty, migration, conflict, and care for creation.

Building bridges through dialogue

Speaking at the opening press conference, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and President of the FABC, reflected on the situation of Christians who live as minorities in many parts of Asia.

“Throughout her history, the Church has always faced challenging situations,” he said.

Rather than responding with fear, the Church is called to build relationships, foster dialogue, and promote reconciliation, he added. This mission, he said, requires Christians to become bridge-builders among peoples, cultures, and religions.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Caloocan in the Philippines and Vice President of the FABC, echoed that call.

“Our response to situations of hostility is not to build defensive walls, but to build bridges of dialogue,” he said.

He noted that many Christian communities live as a “little flock” amid social tensions. Dialogue, he said, begins by recognizing the dignity of every person and seeking the common good.

Synodality begins in local communities

The opening day concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD, Archbishop of Tokyo and Secretary General of the FABC.

In his homily, Cardinal Kikuchi recalled a recent visit to a small organic farming community in Ende, on Indonesia’s Flores Island. He described it as a living example of synodality.

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“Hope is not something that we can simply buy or give to others,” he said. “Hope is born when we encounter people who genuinely care for one another.”

Drawing on his experience as President of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Kikuchi said the community showed that synodality is not an abstract idea but a way of living the Gospel together.

“We cannot change the whole world all at once,” he said. “We begin with grassroots communities.”

A practical path for the Church in Asia

The Assembly’s spokesperson, Bishop Marcelino Antonio “Junie” Maralit Jr. of San Pablo, Philippines, said the gathering forms part of the wider synodal journey of the Church. He pointed to the FABC 50 General Conference, the 2023 Bangkok Document, the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality, the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, and the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV as important milestones.

He said the Assembly seeks to help the Church in Asia pray together, discern the signs of the times, and find renewed ways of proclaiming the Gospel.

According to information shared with Radio Veritas Asia, participants are expected to produce two final texts: a Vademecum on Synodality in Asia to guide the local Churches, and a Message to the Church in Asia encouraging Catholics to continue the journey of synodal renewal.

The programme includes the participation of Cardinal Oswald Gracias as the Special Envoy of Pope Leo XIV, a day of recollection led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a keynote address by Cardinal Mario Grech on implementing the Synod on Synodality, and a video message from the Holy Father.

The Assembly will conclude on 26 July with the celebration of the Eucharist at Jakarta’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. Participants will then walk through the Friendship Tunnel linking the cathedral with the neighbouring Istiqlal Mosque, a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to interreligious harmony.