TELL THE STORY OF JESUS TO ALL ...

This Congress addressed the following theme: Telling the Story of Jesus in Asia. It envisioned the need to bring the message and story of Jesus in dialogue with the Poor, the different religions and the different and unique cultures in this part of the globe. The continent is the largest, most populated, with the vast cultures and religions but the smallest Catholic population in proportion to the whole Asian people.

 In the keynote address (on the first day of the congress, October 19, 2006) delivered by His Excellency, Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of the Diocese of Imus, he stressed that the Story of Jesus must be told and retold to all. However, it has to start from the deep, personal experience of Jesus in his or her life. The Jesus Story in the gospels was first told to the apostles who in turn told them to more people in their missionary journeys. The people who heard the stories experienced Jesus in their lives and they become the new storytellers of the Jesus Story. This is the story of the church’s mission that spread all over the world.  Hence, this story must be told over and over again to the whole world and in particular to Asian people – especially to the poor, the cultures and the different religions of Asia. Bishop Tagle stressed however, that the story must first be felt and genuinely experienced by the storyteller so that his story will both be credible and acceptable to the recipients. The group sharing that followed in the afternoon revealed that each participant has a profound experience of Jesus in his/ her life. This personal experience of Jesus is the most meaningful preparation for being a Church in mission.

 The second day of the congress (October 20, 2006) initiated a revered awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the different religions of Asia. The sharers meaningfully showed the beauty and depths of the different religions without being antagonistic to their faith but being respectful of their beliefs. Fr. James Kroeger, MM, in his theological synthesis at the end of the day, stressed the Church’s commitment to integral evangelization (FABC) that requires announcing the person and promises of Christ in a meaningful inter-religious dialogue. The group sharing appreciated the beauty and depths of the different Asian religions and in fact admitted that Faith in Jesus Christ can be further enriched by these religions and vice versa.

 The third day (October 21, 2006) expressed deep appreciation of the different cultures of Asia which all commonly showed deep love for the families, hospitality, sharing of goods, deep respect for the old folks and the dead, silence and simplicity, and great love for nature and God’s creation. Fr. John Pryor, SVD presented a deep and meaningful assessment of the Asian culture as an opportunity to learn and be evangelized. He stressed that it must not be an effort to change and transform that culture and impose the long standing Western culture which the Church carries with her in her mission. Rather, it is important to re-interpret the gospel through the cultural resources of every people. This can be done, he said, by developing new ways of reading the bible with an Asian eye especially in the life of the poor. This will hopefully lead to a Church reborn as Asian. Without removing and diminishing our Christian identity, we envision an Asian Church that is 100% Christian and 100% Asian.

 Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu, Philippines delivered a wonderful homily that can summarize the whole experience of the First Asian Mission Congress. He said that as a Church, we must continually tell the Story of Jesus to all in unique imitation of the compassion of Jesus for people especially the poor. Jesus’ compassion means feeling with the other person, religion or culture and allowing them to be part of our story. He suggests that without losing the authentic message of Jesus our Savior in the process, our stories can and will be enriched by the stories of the poor, the different cultures and religions of Asia.

The First Asian Mission Congress shows a different image of our missionary directions in Asia and the whole world. More than just going for more and more conversions, mission means continuously telling the story of Jesus, while at the same time, creating dialogue with, learning from, and being enriched by the peoples, cultures and religions. The Congress is another story of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, and God the Father’s dynamic intervention to man and the whole Church. It is the beginning of a long journey of defining what it means to be a Church in Asia. Catching a glimpse of the Asian situation where Catholics are a minority, and witnessing cultures that are totally different from the Philippines (with almost 85% Catholics), we are now invited to a deeper reflection and assessment of our role in our Church in mission. This awareness and understanding will hopefully lead us to the decision to commit ourselves to the promptings of the Asian situation and of the Holy Spirit to be a uniquely Asian Church with an Asian mission.

The Delegation  (more photos)