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inside FABC
 News Archive 2007
South Asian Broadcasts of Radio Veritas Asia
The South Asian production centers for Radio Veritas Asia met in New Delhi from January 29 to 31, 2007. The conference was
organized by the Social Communication Office of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India in cooperation with the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC).
It was the first time that a meeting with participants from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka took place. Archbishop Lawrence
Saldanha (Lahore), the chairman on the FANC Office of Social Communication presided over the deliberations.
The operation of RVA, beside Vatican Radio are the responsibility of the FABC. RVA language programs for South Asia include Hindi,
Telugu, Bangali, Tamil, Urdu and Sinhala. All programs are initiated by the respective regional or national bishops' conferences.
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Asia Reflects on the Compendium of the Social Teachings of the Church
The "Asian Conference on the
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church" jointly organized by the FABC Office of Human Development and the
Vatican-based Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace reflected on the pastoral consequences of the Compendium released by the Holy See in
October 2004.
In his opening talk, Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino established the connection between the
Compendium and the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Asia. The president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace said both
documents place "social doctrine at the heart of the Church's mission." "Part of the preaching of the Gospel" is "taking "interest in human
promotion," proclaiming the "rules for a new coexistence in peace and justice," and helping create "relations and institutions that are more
human," the prelate said. "Directing our Christian witness in the social realities of Asia" need to (1) "defend human rights," (2)
"promote the right to development," (3) "forge a good relationship with nature," and (4) "promote the right to peace."
Father Felix Wilfred said Christianity and the social doctrine could contribute to the "unity of the human family" in Asia,
"understanding and interpretation of modernity," "social justice in our Asian societies," as well as peace and harmony which Asians value.
Speaking on the "Compendium in Ecclesial and Social Context of Asia" the theologian and former member of the FABC's theological council pointed
the need for "rootedness" in carrying out the doctrine, paying greater attention to Asian values, experiences, history and tradition. This
could help Christian Asians "in their double task of being rooted (inculturation) and at the same time prophetic."
The meeting held at Bangkok's Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, Samphran, Thailand from January 25 to 27 saw 155 participants, 147 of
whom came from 17 Asian countries, seven pontifical council officials and the world president of the international organization of Christian
business executives (UNIAPAC) from Mexico. Some 63 lay people working in different Church ministries and representatives of the business
community were present along with 20 Cardinals and arch/bishops, and 72 priests and religious.
The three-day
discussions included the themes "Commitment to Building a Civilization
of Love," and "Telling the Story of the God of Love in Asia," with
talks on Asian socio-political and cultural realities, engagement by
the laity as well as implications on pastoral ministry.
The
first step of our commitment to "tell the story of God's love in Asia"
is this "Asian presentation of the Compendium," Brother Anthony Rogers
fsc said. A deeper understanding of the social doctrine of the Church
is in line with "renewing passion for our evangelizing mission," a key
element of the Asian Mission Congress organized by the FABC in October
2006, the executive secretary of the FABC Office of Human Development
said.
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Modern Communication Technologies for Ministry
"Converging
Communications for Ministry in Asia. Modern Communication Technologies
for the Church" will be the theme of the sixth "Bishops' Institute for
Social Communication" (BISCOM VI). The conference will take place from
May 28 to June 2, 2007 at Assumption University Bang Na campus in
Bangkok, Thailand. With a specialization on information and
communication technologies (ICTs), the university is the appropriate
venue for such a meeting. Experts from different Asian countries will
discuss "Religion Online" and pastoral possiblities of digital media
for the Church in Asia.
Sessions on
"Converging Communication in Pastoral Ministry" and "Converging
Journalism," "E-learning" and "Faith Formation through Internet" are
part of the program. Participants will also discuss the modern
communication situation from "Broadcasting to Pod-casting as New Tools
for Old Concerns." "Intenet for Evangelization/ Interreligious
Dialogue" is another theme to be treated. There will be special evening
sessions for bishops who want to learn more about Internet and the
concrete use of this new means.
The
conference is open to all bishops from Asia. If there are places left,
they will be reserved for communication personnel of bishops'
conferences.
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Pentecostals in Asia
The
"Challenges of Pentecostals" is theme of the latest FABC Paper (no.
119) published by the Central Secretariat of the Federation of Asian
Bishops' Conferences in Hong Kong. The study of Divine Word Father John
Mansford Prior who is based in Indonesia gives an overview about the
Pentecostal movements in five Asian countries followed by an overview
of Church responses. He clarifies the terms "church sect" and
"movement" before coming to the pastoral challenges to Asian
Christianity. "The Catholic Church has opted for the poor," he writes
"while the poor has opted for Pentecostalism." He finally pleads for a
"culture of Prophetic Dialogue."
FABC
Papers are written by contributors from the region but do not
necesarily reflect the official stance or policies of FABC or its
member Episcopal conferences. They do try to "bring the thinking of
Asian experts to a wider audience and to develop critical analysis" of
issues facing the Church in Asia.
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Colloquium on Inculturation in India
A
national colloquium on inculturation is organized by the FABC Office of
Evangelization (OE) at the National Biblical, Catechetical and
Liturgical Centre (NBCLC) in Bangalore from January 18 to 22, 2007. The
colloquium aims to provide an opportunity to review past inculturation
efforts in India and to plan for the future. The basis for
considerations will be a source book on the subject titled "Rooting
Faith in Asia" which the Office of Evangelization published in 2005.
The colloquium is seen as a beginning for a series of similar meetings
in different parts of Asia before having an Asia-wide consultation on
the subject.
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FABC in 2007
The
year 2007 is expected to be another year of FABC activities. The
different offices together with the Standing Committee of the
Federation will have a joint planning and coordination meeting at the
end of February in the Documentation Centre in Bangkok. A conference on
the "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church" jointly organized
by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace together with the FABC
Office for Human Development will open a series of different meetings
of FABC offices on January 25 to 27 in Samphran, Thailand. The other
offices will follow with different events in the course of the year.
Visit FABC Calendar of Events.
Also volume four of "For All the Peoples of Asia" with FABC documents
and statements from 2002 till 2006 will be published this year with
Claretian Publishers, Manila. The volume will have an appendix with
listings of all FABC Papers published up till now.
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Computer Training for Bishops
A
computer training for bishops will be offered as an optional program of
the upcoming “Bishops’ Institute for Social Communication” (BISCOM VI)
at Assumption University in Bangkok from May 28 to June 2. Bishops will
learn how to access and use the different modalities of the Internet.
They will also be introduced to Internet sites helpful for their
ministry and to creating their own online pastoral programs. The
five-day meeting itself organized by the FABC-Office of Social
Communication has the theme “Converging Communications for Ministry in
Asia. Modern Communication Technologies for the Church.” Participation
is for bishops and for personnel of communication offices of bishops’
conferences.
Program and Registration Form
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FABC Offices Meet in Bangkok
The
nine offices of the FABC are scheduled to meet in the new FABC
Documentation Centre in Bangkok from March 1 to 3, 2007 for their
annual planning and coordination. Beside general reporting on their
activities, a review on the follow up from the last FABC General
Assembly on Family (Daejeon, 2004) is foreseen as well as planning for
the ninth FABC Plenary Assembly in February 2009 to be held either in
Bangalore or Manila. The theme of the upcoming Plenary Assembly will be
"Eucharist in Asia."
Along with the FABC
offices, the Standing Committee of the Federation will also meet at the
same time in Bangkok. The Standing Committee is a governing body of the
FABC composed of five bishops elected from different parts of Asia. The
committee meets between sessions of the Central Committee (presidents
of FABC-member conferences) held every two years, and the Plenary
Assemblies (FABC's highest governing body) which meet every four years.
The meeting in Bangkok will also receive and discuss a report on an
upcoming "Vocation Congress for Asia" proposed by Serra International.
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FABC Assistant Secretary General
Visits India
Fr
Ray O'Toole's first trip to India in December 2006 as FABC assistant
secretary general included visits to Goa where the FABC Office of
Evangelization is stationed, to Benaulim where Blessed Joseph Vaz was
born, to Ranchi where he attended the consecration of the new Cathderal
there, and to Mumbai where he joined the installation of Archbishop
Oswald Gracias. Fr Ray assumed the FABC post in late 2005.
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Dialogue in Moral and Religious
Formation in Education
The
FABC Office of Education and Student Chaplaincy will hold a meeting
titled "Empowerment of the Youth: The Evangelizers in Asia" in 2007.
This follows its dialogue and values promotion series beginning with
the "Module Making for Dialogue with Islam" conference in Manila, 2005
and the "Catholicism Encountering Confucianism, Taoism and Folk
Religiosity" conference in Taipei, 2006. After the youth conference,
the office plans to gather all "agents of dialogue" in a single
congress together with Assumption University in Bangkok, and the
Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila. These efforts aim for
moral formation as the mission and essential dynamics of all
educational initiatives and programs in Asia.
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FABC in Central Asia
The Assistant General Secretary of the FABC, Fr.
Raymond O'Toole, SFM, was invited to a meeting of the Central Asia
Bishops and Ordinaries in Tashkent on March 5 and 6, 2007. It was
an occasion to familiarize with each other and to further develop
the relations between Central Asia and the FABC. Central Asia is
considered and accepted as part of the FABC since the Asian Synod
in Rome 1998 where also Central Asia was present. Though many Catholics
in this former Soviet coutries are of European origin, there is
a strong feeling of being part of Asia.
More
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Colloquium on Inculturation in India
A national colloquium on Inculturation is going
to be organized by the FABC Office of Evangelization from May 27
to 31, 2007 at the National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical
Centre (NBCLC) in Bangalore. The centre itself and the commission
for proclamation of the Latin Rite Conference of Catholic Bishops
of India (CCBI) will be co-sponsors of the conference. Delegates
from the different regions of the country and representatives of
Episcopal commissions toA national colloquium on Inculturation is
going to be organized by the FABC Office of Evangelization from
May 27 to 31, 2007 at the National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical
Centre (NBCLC) in Bangalore. The centre itself and the commission
for proclamation of the Latin Rite Conference of Catholic Bishops
of India (CCBI) will be co-sponsors of the conference. Delegates
from the different regions of the country and representatives of
Episcopal commissions together with their bishops are expected as
participants. The colloquium aims to provide an opportunity to review
past inculturation efforts in India and to plan for the future.
The conference is seen as the beginning and testing ground for a
series of similar meetings in other parts of Asia.gether with their
bishops are expected as participants. The colloquium aims to provide
an opportunity to review past inculturation efforts in India and
to plan for the future. The conference is seen as the beginning
and testing ground for a series of similar meetings in other parts
of Asia.
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Book on "Asian Mission Congress"
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A book with the proceedings of the Asian Mission Congress in Chiang Mai,
Thailand October 18-22, 2006 will be published under the title "Telling the Story of Jesus in Asia: A Celebration of Faith and Life at the First
Asian Mission Congress." Fr Saturnino Dias, executive secretary of the FABC Office of Evangelization, will be the main editor and publisher is
Asian Trading Corporation in Bangalore. Along with the transcripts of talks given at the congress, the book will also contain a special
colored picture section with the highlights of the event. A DVD on the mission congress will be released at a later stage. All this should
help enable people at the national or local levels to prepare similar congresses.
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FABC Offices' Coordination
The nine offices of the FABC are studying their purposes and goals
to coordinate and streamline their activities and perspectives. The new initiative shall
lead to a reformulation of their individual terms of reference, and provide better
coordination. Some of these offices exist almost since the beginning of the Federation
while others are of very recent origin. Therefore, a more clear restructuring shall be
promoted. The considerations of the different offices are to be studied by a
special coordinating committee and will be discussed at a special FABC offices'
meeting in the very first days of September 2007.
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OLF
Women's Desk holds Second South Asia Meeting on Women, Launches
Book on Women
The Women's Desk of the FABC-Office of Laity and Family organized
the second South Asian Meeting on Women in New Delhi, India April 16-21, 2007.
Present where four bishops, 42 women delegates and three priests representing
five countries of South Asia. After five days of prayerful reflection, sharing and
exposure encounter, the participants put forward six recommendations including
setting up of a Women's Desk or Commission at the national, diocesan and parish
levels. See Final Statement
At the closing Eucharist on April 20, the same FABC office
launched the book titled "Discipleship of Asian Women at the
Service of Life" in the presence of Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, archbishop of
Ranchi, India.
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First Catholic Bishop of Nepal
Pope Benedict XVI raised the Apostolic Prefecture of Nepal to the
status of Apostolic Vicariate and appointed Msgr Anthony Francis Sharma, sj as Vicar
Apostolic and elevated him to the rank of Bishop. The Episcopal ordination took place
on May 5 at Assumption Church in Kathmandu.
Msgr. Sharma has been head of the Church in Nepal since
1984, first as Ecclesiastical Superior, when Nepal was made
a Missio Sui Iuris, then as Prefect Apostolic when the Church
was raised to the status of Apostolic Prefecture in 1997, and
now as Vicar Apostolic and Bishop.
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Pastoral Challenges for Families in Asia
"Approaches to the Challenges in Pastoral Care for Families" is
the theme of an FABC "Bishops' Institute for Lay Apostolate" (BILA) to be held in
Pattaya, Thailand from June 11-16. The conference is organized by the FABC Office
of Laity and Family . Lay people will be invited to share their experiences in
inter-faith marriage, divorce, migrant workers and similar situations to see how
SCCs (Small Christian Communities) can be an instrument of pastoral care and
support. The interest of youth in family issues expressed at the 2006 Asian
Youth Day in Hong Kong will be studied as well.
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MA Theology Major in Social/Pastoral Communication, First Semester 2007-08
The MA Theology major in social/pastoral communication
program at the Pontifical University
of Santo Tomas, Manila will offer in June “Introduction
to Social Communication,” “Faith and Film” and “Pastoral Communication
I” beside other related courses. The graduate program started
in the school year 2001-2002.
The Pastoral Communication studies can also
be combined with any licentiate study in the Pontifical Theological
Faculty of the university.
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FABC Theology Documents in one Volume
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All documents elaborated by the former Theological Advisory
Commission (1986-1992), presently the Office of Theological Concerns, of the FABC are
now available in one volume entitled "Sprouts of Theology from the Asian Soil." The
book contains all documents of the office from its beginnings with the first document
released in 1987. The 418-page book is published by Claretians Publications in
Bangalore, India and also available from Claretian Communications in Manila,
Philippines. The book is edited by Redemptorist Father Vimal Tirimanna, executive
secretary of the FABC-Office of Theological Concerns.
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FABC Documents on Women Concerns
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The documents and presentations from the first three "Bishops'
Institutes for Lay Apostolate" (BILA) on Women are now available in one volume under
the title "Discipleship of Asian Women and the Service of Life." The three
meetings were organized by the Women's Desk of the FABC Office of Laity and Family (OLF)
in 1995, 1998 and 2001. The objectives of these meetings were: "(1) to articulate
women's theological reflection rooted in life, (2) to encourage theologians to
integrate women's God experience into theological reflection, (3) to contribute towards
a more holistic development of Asian theology." Editor of the 261-pages volume is
Virginia Saldanha, executive secretary of the FABC-OLF. She is concurrently
responsible for the Women's desk of this office. The book is published by the
Claretians in Bangalore and also available with Claretians in Manila.
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Converging Communications for Ministry in Asia
25 bishops from 9 different countries and another 25 professionals and communication secretaries from bishops'
conferences attended a study week on "Converging Communications for Ministry in Asia, Modern Communication Technologies
for the Church" at Assumption University (AU), Bang Na Campus in Bangkok, Thailand. The 6th "Bishops' Institute for
Social Communication" (BISCOM) from May 28 to June 2 was organized by the "Office of Social Communication" (OSC)
of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).
From a general overview about information and communication technologies (ICT) the presentations went into concrete details
for pastoral communication. |
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Presented were samples of 'Religion Online' where religious institutions and initiatives are
presented on the Net, and "Online Religion" where religion is practiced on and through the Net. Examples came not
only from Christianity but also from Islam, Hinduism and other religious initiatives. |
The possibilities of new technologies for catechesis were demonstrated with samples of computer
games and other software applications. An overview about the different ethical implications of ICT showed the special
challenges for moral theology and the Church in general. |
Half of the participants joined a special computer training course in the evenings with practical
and hands-on exercises facilitated by ICT experts. The participants learned browsing websites, electronic mailing,
online chatting and practical uses of Internet for pastoral ministry.
See picture gallery |
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New FABC-related Dissertations
Two new doctoral dissertations examining the thinking of
the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences were recently completed.
At Fu Jen Catholic University, in Taiwan, Jesuit Father Jeffrey
Chang analyzed the FABC’s vision of ordained ministry. The FABC
characterizes the priest in Asia as “a man of communion” and
emphasizes ordained ministry’s relationship to the community’s
ministerial life. At Weston Jesuit School of Theology, in the
United States, Jesuit Father Bernardus Agus Rukiayanto explored
the dynamics of inculturation in the church of Indonesia, especially
as influenced by the FABC understanding of inculturation as
threefold dialogue. Theological reflection on inculturation
also offers some principles that might be useful for the universal
church. These Spring 2007 dissertations join earlier studies
in a growing body of reflection on the theological contributions
of the FABC. Copies will be available at the FABC Documentation
Centre, Bangkok.
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First BILA on Family in Asia
The first "Bishops' Institute for Lay Apostolate" on Family was celebrated from June 11 to 16 in Pattaya, Thailand.
66 participants from 13 Asian countries attended the conference which took the theme "Avenues/ Approaches to the Challenges in Pastoral Care to
Families in the 21st Century." The considerations were based in the final document of the last FABC General Assembly (2004) on the Family in
Asia. Archbishop M. C. Soosa Pakiam, chairman of the FABC Office of Laity and Family, emphasized the need to strengthen interpersonal
relationships in the family, to support interreligious families and to develop an authentic spirituality which protects the family.
The sharing of country reports from different parts of Asia reflected the Asian reality with a growing number of divorces, migration and
interreligious marriages. A sharing on Youth and Family was included in the considerations and led by the Youth Desk of the Office.
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Asian Mission Congress Book Out
A book with the proceedings and experiences of the Asian Mission Congress has been published by Asian
Trading Publishing in Bangalore, India. The 504 page book comes with a DVD on the congress which took place in Chiang
Mai, Thailand last October 18-22, 2006. The editor of the book is Fr. Saturnino Dias, the executive secretary
of the FABC office of Evangelization.
More... |
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Formation of Priests
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"Human Formation of Priests, Some Current Concerns"
is the title of a new publication of the FABC
Office of Clergy. The 196 page book contains the presentations of a meeting for seminary rectors organized
by the office in May 14-19, 2006 in Hua Hin, Thailand. The conference dealt with "human issues" related to priestly life in Asia. It was the first
consultation organized by this office. Editor is Fr. Lawrence Pinto, the Executive Secretary. The book is available from the office in Mangalore,
India. (See website of the Office for address)
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Academic Award for Fr Edward Malone and FABC
The "Bukas Palad" (open hands) Award of the Jesuit Ateneo de Manila University for this year was awarded to Fr Edward Malone, mm the
long time Assistant Secretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). The award was given in a special academic
convocation at the university on July 25. Together with this award, four additional awards were given for different kinds of services of
organizations and individuals. The "Bukas Palad" Award commemorates Fr Manuel Peypoch, sj who was killed in 1924. Fr Edward Malone was
assistant secretary general of the FABC from its beginning in 1970 till 2004. He is considered the "father of the FABC." With his vision and
initiatives, the FABC developed into one of the most important Church bodies for theological and pastoral reflection on the bishops' conferences
level in Asia. He now lives in the retirement house of the Maryknoll Fathers in their headquarters in Maryknoll, New York. The award was
received in his name by the present general secretary of the FABC, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, omi of Cotabato, Philippines.
More...
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Respect for Life in Asia
"Respect for Life in the Context of Asia" is the title of the
latest "FABC Paper" (no. 120) published by the FABC Central Secretariat in Hong Kong.
The Paper was prepared by the FABC Office of Theological Concerns. After the
describing the Asian context, it presents the "Asian Cultures and Religious
Traditions as Resources." In the promotion of "Respect for Life" it concludes
with the sources of Christian faith on the Sacredness and Dignity of Human life
and the Obligations flowing out from this. The 50-page publication is available
in the FABC Central Secretariat but should be soon also online via the UCANews
website under "FABC Papers."
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"For All the Peoples of Asia," FABC Documents Volume 4 Published
The fourth volume of the FABC documents titled "For All the Peoples of Asia" is now available from Claretian
Publishers in Manila. The book contains, beside the final statement of the FABC 8th general assembly (Daejeon, Korea
2004), all final statements of conferences and meeting organized by the nine different FABC offices from 2004
till 2006 inclusive. The first volume of the book was published in 1987 and that time edited by the now Archbishop
of Manila, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, and Fr C. G. Arevalo,sj. The succeeding volumes including the new one were
edited by the executive secretary of the FABC Office of Social Communication, Fr. Franz-Josef Eilers, svd. All
volumes of "For All the Peoples of Asia" are considered essential source books about "the life and thinking of
the Church in Asia." |
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The 311-page volume four has in addition a re-print of FABC Paper No. 100 with the annotated listing
of the first 100 "FABC Papers" and a short listing of additional "FABC Papers" published by the Central Secretariat
in Hong Kong till the end of 2006. These Papers are not official documents of the Federation. They "are designed
to bring the thinking of Asian experts to a wider audience and to develop critical analysis of the problems facing
the Church in Asia from people on the scene. The opinions expressed are those of the authors alone." |
Like all other volumes, "For All the Peoples of Asia" volume four is available at Claretian Publications,
No. 8 Mayumi Street, U.P. Village, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Tel: (632) 921 3984. Check the Claretian online catalog
at http://www.claret.org. |
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FABC Papers No. 121 on Harmony Through Reconciliation
The latest FABC Paper released by the Central Secretariat of the
FABC contains documents from the "Asian Consultation on Harmony Through Reconciliation."
This was the theme of the seventh Faith Encounters in Social Action (FEISA VII) organized
by the FABC-Office of Human Development (FABC-OHD) January 16-21, 2006 in Pattaya,
Thailand to commemorate 40 years of the Vatican Council II document "Gaudium et Spes."
The council document brought "a new vision of life to the Church especially also in
Asia," says the editor and executive secretary of FABC-OHD, Bro Anthony Rogers.
The new FABC Paper does not fully document the proceedings of the consultation but
confines itself to three main papers presented: (1) "Joint Hope Amidst Grief and Anguish,
the New Gospel for the 21st Century" by Cardinal Renato Rafaelo Martino from the
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, (2) "Asian Christianity and Modernity for the
Years after 'Gaudium et Spes'" by Fr Felix Wilfred from Madras University, Chennai, and
(3) "Searching for Ways of Peace" by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil from Guwahati,
India.
The full text will be available online through the UCANews section on FABC
Papers. "FABC Papers."
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FABC Offices' Meeting
The nine offices of the "Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences"
will be meeting at the FABC Documentation Centre in Bangkok from September 1 to 3
to discuss further cooperation and streamlining of their activities and programs.
Since there are many common concerns among the offices, a greater cooperation is
envisaged. The considerations and possible results of the conference will be
submitted to the Central Committee of the FABC which is composed of the presidents
of the member bishops' conferences.
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Bishops Discuss Caring For Priests
Seventy-four participants, including one cardinal, sixty-eight
archbishops and bishops and five experts met for a week-long
conference at Redemptorist center in Pattaya, Thailand, from
August 27 to Sept. 1, 2007 to discuss their responsibilities
in caring for the clergy. The bishops reflected on their shepherding
role in the Church, caring for the whole diocese, but showing
special love for priests, and a particular need for ongoing
formation so that priestly ministry can respond adequately to
the needs of people.
The bishops were conscious of Asian values
like spirituality, detachment from material possessions, strong
family ties and respect for elders. These should be fostered
as bases for developing vocations to the priesthood. Special
care must also be given to priests with particular difficulties.
The bishops felt a need to acquire skills to deal with such
cases. The conference ended with a note of optimism and joy
about the large number of dedicated priests in the Church in
Asia.
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FABC-Related Book also published in Italian
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An Italian translation of "Communicating in Ministry
and Mission, Introduction to Pastoral and Evangelizing
Communication" (Logos/Divine World Publications, Manila)
has been published in Italy by the Salesian Publishing
Elle Edici Leumann, Turin. The 300-page book with the
Italian title "Communicare nel Ministero e nella Missione"
was writeen by Franz-Josef Eilers, the Executive Secretary
of the FABC-Office
of Social Communication, as an introduction to pastoral
and evangelizing communication. The second edition of
the book (2004) which is also published in India with
Asian Trading Corporation (Bangalore) is the basis for
a traanslation into Thai and Korean languages. The publication |
serves
as basic textbook for an MA Theology program at
the Graduate School of the Pontifical University of Santo
Tomas in Manila which started in 2001 as a joint initiative
of the FABC offices if social communication (OSC), and
education and student chaplaincy(OESC).
The book is also the basis for an online
course on "Pastoral and Evangelizing Communication
in the "Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation"(VLCFF)
program of the "Institute for Pastoral Initiatives"
of the University of Dayton, Ohio in the United States. |
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Vocations Symposium
A symposium on Asian vocations will take place at the Archdiocesan
Training Center in Samphran near Bangkok, Thailand from October 22-27, 2007. The
symposium is proposed and supported by Serra International and organized by the FABC
offices for Clergy and Consecrated Life in cooperation with the respective offices
of the national bishops' conference and the national seminary, Lux Mundi, together
with the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations in Rome. Participants will be
bishops in-charge of Clergy and Vocations at the different bishops' conferences as
well as vocation directors and rectors of seminaries. The participants will be
addressed, beside others also, by the chairmen of the two FABC offices Archbishop
Peter Fernando (India) and Bishop Paul Tan (Malaysia). The symposium aims to
highlight cultural and socio-economic contexts of vocations but also the nature of
religious vocations as a radical following of Christ.
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FABC Solidarity with Myanmar
A message of solidarity was sent to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) in the name of the "Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences" (FABC) by its Secretary General, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo. "We have read with great sympathy and understanding your official Bishops' statement on the events," the message reads. "On behalf of the FABC, may I express our solidarity with you on your stand." The prelate urges FABC-member bishops' conferences and associate members "to offer prayers and Holy Masses to the Lord of peace so that no further violence may take place."
The message which is addressed to the Chairman of the CBCM, Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng of Mandalay, calls on all parties concerned that the problems of the country be "resolved through peaceful dialogue for the sake of the common good."
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Final Statement of Clergy Meeting
The final statement from the seminar on "Caring for Priests,
Especially Those With Difficulties" August 27-31, 2007 in Pattaya,
Thailand has been released. The text describes the situation
of priests in Asia, presents the convictions of the participating
Bishops and gives recommendations beside others. These proposals
underline the importance of seminaries, the need for deeper
spiritual life, they recommend courses for ongoing formation
of clergy in spirituality, as well as pastoral orientation programs
and the strengthening of relationships and support with each
other.
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BICA II: The Migrant Family in Asia
Migrants and refugees will be the main concern of the second
"Bishops' Institute for Christian Advocacy" (BICA II) organized by the FABC Office
of Human Development (OHD) December 4-8, 2007 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. The
theme of the conference will be "Migrant Family in Asia Reaching Out and Touching
Them." The participants will examine the migrants' and refugees' realities, the
impact on their families and formulate pastoral perspectives and priorities to
develop more creative and collaborative programs. The considerations should also
help to deepen the understanding of the social doctrine of the Church in this field.
The conference will be hosted by the diocese of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah,
Malaysia. Sabah is a state in Malaysia which receives more than a million migrants and
refugees but also sends their own people to other parts of Malaysia and Asia at large.
The participants will be mainly bishops and their close
collaborators in this apostolate.
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FABC-OSC Board Bishop Elevated Cardinal
Archbishop Oswald Gracias, 63, from Mumbai,
India will be elevated to Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on November
24, 2007 in Rome. The Archbishop, soon to be Cardinal, is a board
member of the FABC-Office of Social Communication since January 2004
and has inspired the communications work of the Church in Asia since
then. All FABC offices have a board of three to five bishops
responsible for their work. |
Beside other responsibilities,
Archbishop Gracias is also the chairman for social communications
of the All-Indian Bishops' conference (CBCI) in Delhi.
He has attended all FABC-OSC meetings since 2003 and was
most of the time part of the editorial committee for the
final statements of the assemblies. All board members
and staff of the FABC-OSC congratulates him
and his fellow archbishops who will be elevated to Cardinal. This
includes Archbishop John P. Foley, the former President
of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in
Rome, and another close friend and supporter of FABC-OSC. |
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Archbishop Ossie Gracias at BISCOM VI
Assumption University, Bangkok, May 2007 |
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Dialogue in Education
"Dialogue in Moral and Religious Formation in Education"
was the theme of a meeting organized by the FABC-Office of Education and Student
Chaplaincies from October 24-28, 2007 at Assumption University in Bangkok. 30
participants tried to bring a "holistic approach on dialogue to institutions of
learning" especially in relation to family as the "domestic church." The office
had already organized a meeting on "Family Catechesis" last year. This year's
follow up conference included a presentation of Filipino Bishop Socrates Villegas
as well as Redemptorist Father Vimal Tirimanne of the FABC-Office of Theological
Concerns on "Dialogue in Moral Formation."
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Asian Vocation Symposium
An Asian vocation symposium took place from Oct 22-27 at
the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, Samphran outside Bangkok. Some 150 participants
including 58 priests, 49 sisters, 26 brothers and 12 bishops from 16 different
countries participated. They represented especially those people and organizations
from all over Asia which are responsible for religious and priestly vocations.
The symposium was organized by the two FABC Offices of Clergy and
Consecrated Life and sponsored by Serra International. Under the heading "Asian
Vocations Today" the following sub-themes were treated: (1) Presentation of Vocation
in a Changed World, (2) the Church Community, as Seedbed of Vocations, and (3)
Screening Candidates to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life.
The final statement of the assembly refers to the need of mutual
support between the Asin churches, God's call for following Christ, the Family as
Seedbed for Vocation, and the formation towards maturity and radicality in Christ.
The text ends with some nine recommendations which include beside others better
cooperation between lay organizations, a proper planning and training and a greater
mission awareness.
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Eucharist as Communication
"Eucharist as Communication" is the theme of this year's "Bishops'
Meet" organized by the FABC-Office of Social Communication. The theme was chosen in
view of the upcoming FABC Plenary Assembly in the beginning of 2009 with the theme
"Living Eucharist in Asia." The 12th annual Bishops' Meet will start from the
Eucharist as the "most intimate form of communion between God and men possible in
this life" (Communio et Progressio, 11). From there, it will explore the "Role of
Meals and Celebrations in Asian Cultures," the "Communication Dimension of Liturgy"
and "Eucharist and Inculturation."
The "Bishops' Meet" is, since 1996, an annual gathering reserved
for bishops responsible for communication in Asia and their secretaries in the
episcopal conferences. The participants will give reports about their work in their
respective countries. At the end of the meeting, a Final Statement will be published
on the considerations and recommendations of the participants.
This year's meeting will be held at the Gabrielite Center in
Bangkok, Thailand November 26- December 1, 2007. Last year's "Bishops' Meet '06"
was held in Manila, Philippines on "Managing Communications for Bishops'
Conferences."
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Dialogue in Education-Final Report
"Dialogue in Moral and Religious Formation in Education" was the
theme of a conference at Assumption University in Bangkok organized by the FABC
Office of Education and Student Chaplaincy from October 24-28, 2007. The final
report about the meeting, which was attended also by Catholic student organizations,
lists the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for this in political
environments and academic programs, Church situations and religious factors. The
paper concludes with recommendations from the youth and confirms that "the hope to
produce other Christs in education takes its rootedness in the Eucharist."
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BILA II on Youth: Living the Emmaus Story
The second "Bishops' Institute for Laity" (BILA II) on Youth was celebrated from November 10-14, 2007 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Some 100 people including 13 bishops and 33 priests from 19 different countries participated in the gathering taking the Biblical Emmaus story as their framework. "Like the disciples of Emmaus walking with Jesus for an effective youth ministry in Asia." Especially the young participants gave reports on their experiences and needs as challenges for youth ministry based on the Word of God, the Eucharist and social action. The final statement recommends, beside others, a full-fledged Office for Youth within the FABC structure. The statement also assures the Catholic youth in Asia "for not being alone. Jesus walks with you at every step of life even when you are not aware."
More...
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FABC-OSC Bishop as Cardinal
Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India was elevated Cardinal of the Catholic Church on Nov 24, 2007 in Rome. The new Cardinal is a member of the Board of the FABC-Office of Social Communication since 2004. In all these years, the Cardinal has shown a special concern and support for social communications of the Church in Asia. We congratulate him whole-heartedly and are looking forward to a further close collaboration.
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Together with Cardinal Gracias, also Archbishop John P. Foley, the former president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, was elevated to Cardinal. Archbishop Foley always supported in a special way the communications work in Asia. In 2004, he gave the keynote address to the Plenary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India in Trichy on Social Communication. Congratulations to both of them.
Every office of the FABC has five bishops as their governing board. These bishops are responsible for the program and activities of the offices, which are then carried out by an executive secretary.
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Eucharist as Communication
Eucharist as Communication" is the theme of the 12th annual "Bishops' Meet" organized by the FABC-Office of Social Communication at Gabrielite Center, Bangkok Nov 26-Dec 1. The meeting of 35 bishops-chairmen for social communication and their secretaries from 15 countries took an inter-discipinary approach to expound the theme. Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus, Philippines gave a theological explanation on the subject. Communication scholar Fr Sebastian Periannan of St Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, India discussed the "Eucharist in the New Media Age." Buddhist Nun Dhammananda Kabilsingh from Thailand explained the meaning and significance of meals and celebrations in Buddhist culture, while Fr Jacob Theckanath from India discussed the Eucharist and inculturation. Fr Sebastian Michael, svd from India discussed "Meals and Celebrations in Asian Cultures," while Fr Amelito Racelis, sdb explained the "Liturgy as a Communication Happening." A "Festschrift" on the life and work of Divine Word Father Franz-Josef Eilers, executive secretary of the FABC-Office of Social Communication, was launched on Nov 29. Present at that occasion were Michai Cardinal Kitbunchu, archbishop of Bangkok, and Bishop George Yod Phimphisan, president of the Thai bishops' conference.. |
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The participants of Bishop's Meet '07 |
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The Migrant Family in Asia: Reaching Out and Touching Them
“The Migrant Family in Asia: Reaching Out and Touching Them” was the theme of the second Bishops’ Institute for Christian Advocacy
(BICA II) held at Borneo Paradise Beach Hotel, Sabah, Malaysia December 4-8, 2007. The meeting, organized by the FABC Office for Human Development, was attended by one Cardinal, seven bishops, 14 Priests and 42 religious and lay
participants from 18 countries. |
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Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of the Migrant
and Itinerant People, gave the keynote address, echoing the Holy Father’s message of the 2007 World Day for
Migrants and Refugees. He stressed the need for enhancing pastoral care for ALL migrants
and refugees. The Church should become a Good Samaritan in a globalized world, he added. The
participants discussed the immediate needs and concerns of migrants in their
countries with their counterpart Church and NGO organizations. |
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