Kate Stevenson
The Annual Federation of Asian Bishops Conference opened with a call for action, urging Church leaders to move beyond discussion and to begin implementing synodality across Asia.
Every four years, more than 100 bishops from over 20 countries and regions in Asia meet to discuss the key issues affecting the Church in the continent.
Father Nikasius Jatkimo, a member of the committee organizing the conference, says this year's gathering has focused on building bridges through dialogue and promoting peace across Asia.
FR. NIKASIUS JATMIKO
Idonesian Priest
Dialogue is so important. So the main thing is dialogue. Dialogue, whatever dialogue. So if we find a problem: the important thing is how to dialogue with one another. How to solve the problem together. Not only one person, but we have to come together, and we try to solve the problem.
Dialogue has long been recognized as a defining characteristic of the Asian Church. At the 1990 FABC Plenary Assembly in Bandung, Indonesia, the concept of "triple dialogue" emerged, which encourages the Church to engage with the poor, local cultures, and other religions.
That's why the conference ends with the underground walk from Southeast Asia's largest Mosque, Istiqlal, to the Jakarta Cathedral. Father Nikasius Jatkimo says it stands as a symbol of Indonesia's commitment to inter-religious harmony and tolerance.
FR. NIKASIUS JATMIKO
Idonesian Priest
A tunnel is a symbol of tolerance, a symbol of friendship between Muslims, especially, and Catholics.
Across Asia, where Catholics make up just 3% of the population, the Church regularly works alongside people of other faiths in education, healthcare, and community services, to turn dialogue into concrete acts of cooperation.
