Vatican News Network: Asian Bishops Discuss Challenges Faced by Church in Asia
(Vatican City) – The President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and the Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, hosted a meeting on October 23 before the 16th session of the current World Bishops’ Conference. The meeting, held in St. Peter’s Basilica, was attended by all participants and featured a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Charles Bo. In his homily, Cardinal Bo addressed the challenges faced by the Church in Asia, emphasizing their significance.
The Taiwan Bishops’ Conference translated the full text of the homily into Chinese at the request of the Association of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. The translated text was provided to Vatican News, and below is the full content of the Mass homily:
Cardinal Bo began his homily by tracing the journey of Adam and Eve, highlighting how human beings have constantly searched for the meaning of life and explored spirituality ever since. He drew attention to the journey of Moses, whom God called to confront the pride and arrogance of Pharaoh. This journey, as depicted in the Book of Exodus, reveals God as the savior of the oppressed and emphasizes His faithfulness to His people.
Referring to Abraham as the father of faith, Cardinal Bo encouraged the congregation to follow his example. He emphasized that the journey of life and faith often leads to unknown paths but should be embarked upon with strong faith and trust in God’s promises. The cardinal stressed that God becomes our guide and companion as we venture into the unknown.
Cardinal Bo also highlighted the importance of faith in guiding us through the darkest moments of life. He emphasized the need for the Church to be a righteous and collegial community, embodying a journey of faith and trust in God’s faithfulness. Acknowledging doubts and anxieties along the journey, he drew inspiration from the example of Moses, who serves as a role model for all believers.
The cardinal addressed the greed and self-centered egoism that cause human suffering and conflict, as portrayed in the parable recounted in the Gospel. He emphasized the need to align our journeys and plans with God’s will. Drawing from St. Paul’s words in the first reading, Cardinal Bo urged the congregation to put their trust in God and align their dreams with His plans for a world full of hope, peace, and justice.
Cardinal Bo echoed Pope Francis’ calls for reconciliation at three levels: reconciliation with God, reconciliation with nature, and reconciliation among humanity. He emphasized the urgency of saving humanity and healing and reconciling the world in justice and peace by bringing everyone together.
Highlighting climate change and its impact on the environment, particularly in Asia, Cardinal Bo expressed concern over the destruction of forests and the increased violence in affected areas. He called on people around the world to pay attention to these issues.
As the birthplace of major religions and the first place where Jesus’ message spread, Asia holds a significant place in the Church’s mission. Despite the challenges faced by the Church in Myanmar and Asia, Cardinal Bo expressed hope in returning to the glorious days of apostolic evangelization through the Synod’s inspiration.
Cardinal Bo acknowledged the difficulties faced by the Church in Myanmar, including displacement caused by natural and man-made disasters. Despite the suffering, he reiterated the Church’s commitment to reconciliation and expressed hope for healing, peace, and justice.
In conclusion, Cardinal Bo extended blessings to all and expressed the hope that the Catholic Church, under the leadership of Pope Francis, would lead the human family on a journey to heal the world and the planet.
The full text of the Mass homily can be found on the Vatican News website.