The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) held a 50th anniversary General Conference from 12-30 October 2022. On Wednesday, the document Conference delegates drafted was launched during an online event.
By Sr Bernadette M. Reis, fsp
Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay and FABC 50 General Conference Adjunct Secretary, hosted an online event on Wednesday, launching the document drafted last October during that assembly. “This document is going to make a difference to the Church of Asia,” he began, “and the Church of Asia can offer this document to the universal Church.” It reflects the voices of all 140 Cardinals and Bishops, 60 priests, religious and lay faithful who attended the 12-30 October 2022 General Conference.
Visionary document
FABC President Cardinal Charles Bo welcomed those participating online. “Today, my heart is filled with joy,” the Cardinal said. “The FABC 50 General conference held in October 2022 was a historic event and a watershed moment for the Church in Asia.” Speaking of the first-ever General Conference of Bishops in Asia, he characterized it as a “kairos moment…as we dialogued in a spirit of solidarity and collegiality.” He recalled that all facets of the Church participated in it. The final “visionary” document, he says, “responding to the call of synodality,” and “envisioning new pathways for the future,” contains the fruit of that fraternal and mutual dialogue and discernment.
Bombay Archbishop, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, who proposed and later convened the FABC General Conference, then ceremoniously unwrapped the gift-wrapped document and officially released it. “I am happy”, he said, “on behalf of our president, Cardinal Charles, the committee who prepared it, the Bishops and all those who worked to release this FABC Bangkok document.”
