“Asian Christianity is in the process of becoming truly indigenous to this region,” said Cardinal Charles Beau during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
The structure was founded in 1970 when the bishops of Asia met for the first time in Manila during Pope Paul VI’s visit to the Philippines. Since then, she has been working on the identity of the Catholic Church in Asia.
Cardinal Beau described the current situation of the continent, drawing attention to the existing problems: conflicts, resettlement, economic decline, climate change, the consequences of the pandemic and millions suffering from hunger. He also pointed to the crisis in which many countries are facing due to governmental authoritarianism and lack of democracy. Global peace is threatened by fundamentalism and religious violence. In such circumstances, the Church must recognize what its mission should look like.
“Asian Christianity is in the process of becoming truly indigenous to this region. With Christianity playing an important role in Asian nations in the fields of education, health and development, countries are becoming economically and politically more self-reliant,” Cardinal Bo said.
According to the hierarch, “The Church in Asia is full of life.” “This is a great chance and challenge. And every challenge, as Francis says, is an opportunity. This century can become in Asia the century of Christianity through the proclamation of the Good News and the support of peace and justice in the world. The Church is faced with the question of how it can become a prophet of peace in an increasingly troubled world,” shared Cardinal Beau.
“The biblical perspective of the anniversary prescribes complex changes and thorough restoration. The Church under the leadership of the current Pope actively initiated changes. Evangelii gaudium, Laudato si’ i Fratelli tutti have given the Church in Asia and the world a road map in its proper relationship with God, creation and each other. Today, the challenge is for the Church to be synodal, with evangelization in the first place,” the hierarch emphasized.
