ASIA - Father Anh Nhue: “Ecclesia in Asia” even today it represents a "prophetic call" for the mission in the Asian continent

Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) - "A quick glance at the content of 'Ecclesia in Asia' clearly shows that its key themes are still relevant today, 25 years after its publication, and especially in this period of synodality and with a view to the Holy Year," said the Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union of Clergy, Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen (OFMConv), during the International Symposium to be held in Bangalore (India) on 13 and 14 December on the occasion of the publication of the post-synodal exhortation 25th anniversary of "Ecclesia in Asia" (see Fides, 11/12/2024).
Looking back on the document issued by Pope John Paul II in November 1999 at the conclusion of the Special Synod on Asia, the Secretary General of the Missionary Union of Clergy notes: “The Post-Synodal Exhortation serves, in fact, as a prophetic call to the Church to engage with the complexity of Asian societies and to bear witness to the Gospel in a spirit of humility, respect and cooperation. It invites Catholics in Asia to participate in the Church's missionary work while being open to learning from the diverse cultures that make up the continent. This document represents an important step in the Church's efforts to understand and address the unique challenges and opportunities in Asia.”

Father Nguyen recalls that the document was written “within a Christological and missionary framework” and covers the following themes in seven chapters: the Asian context, which analyzes the different realities on the continent and recognizes Asia's rich cultural and religious heritage; the figure of Jesus, the Redeemer, presented as a gift for Asia; the Holy Spirit, as Lord and giver of life for the mission of Christ and his Church in Asia; communion and dialogue for the mission of the Asian Church, especially the importance of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue; the ministry of human development, which addresses social issues in Asia such as poverty, human rights and social justice; and the Church as a witness to the Gospel through deepening of faith, catechesis and sacramental life.
In all these aspects, Pope John Paul II emphasized the missionary dimension of the Church and the crucial role of the laity, especially the family and young people. “The recent synodal process,” said the religious, “which culminated in the final document ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission,’ reflects many of the themes already formulated in ‘Ecclesia in Asia.'” Both the Synod on Synodality and the Apostolic Exhortation emphasize the importance of listening to the Lord, through prayer and Scripture, but also through the lived experiences of the faithful." And the themes addressed in "Ecclesia in Asia", such as evangelization, interreligious dialogue, social justice and cultural engagement, are also reflected in the discussions and documents of the Synod: "This speaks to their relevance today." "The Catholic Church in Asia," said the Secretary General of the Missionary Union of Clergy, "is today at an important crossroads as it reflects on its mission and identity within the diverse and dynamic cultural context of the continent. The Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Asia' is a fundamental document that outlines the mission of the Church in Asia and calls for a revitalization of its pastoral-missionary efforts. This seems even more urgent and important after the recent Synod and in view of Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation 'Evangelii Gaudium', in which 'missionary action is the paradigm for all ecclesial activity' (No. 15).
As the Jubilee Year 2025 approaches, the themes of synodality and missionary renewal formulated in 'Ecclesia in Asia' become more relevant for the Asian Church as a whole and for the individual Churches on the continent." This process must be continued in a new historical context, always in keeping with the spirit of mission and synodality: "'Ecclesia in Asia' exhorts the Church to be a community of listening and learning, capable of appreciating the values inherent in Asian cultures while remaining rooted in the Gospel. A central concern of the Exhortation is that the Church should become more missionary in its outlook. This means not only proclaiming the Gospel, but also living it in a way that is in tune with the local context. The challenge is to embody a faith that speaks to the hopes and aspirations of the people of Asia, and thus to promote a Church that is both a universal and a local face.” “Ecclesia in Asia,” continues Father Anh Nhue, “calls for a synodal Church that listens to the voices of its members, embraces diversity and promotes inclusive dialogue. In this journey, the Exhortation places particular emphasis on listening to marginalized communities, women, youth and indigenous peoples. Their perspectives are fundamental to understanding the realities of the local Church.” In conclusion, Father Anh Nhue notes that “the missionary aspect of Ecclesia in Asia emphasizes the need for the Church to be a beacon of hope and compassion in a world full of divisions and suffering.” While Asia faces pervasive social problems such as poverty, environmental degradation and political unrest, “the Church’s mission must go beyond the mere proclamation of the faith in words, which, however, as Ecclesia in Asia itself notes, remains necessary in the process of evangelization.” It "must include efforts for social justice and reconciliation and remain at the side of the marginalized." (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 13/12/2024)

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