Summary of FABC

Shitol Nokrek

Summary of FABC

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It was February 27 to March 6, the Federation of Asian Bishop conference was taken place in Hong Kong. The main topic of this conference was to see the growth Christianity, examine ministries and finally the success of the ministries in this continent. Let us see the assessment of the conference:

A.    Asian situation at present: In today’s’ Asia where the half of the world’s population are living is the continent of ancient culture, religiosity, diverse in race, color creed which enable them to live with common Asian identity. Their very close family ties and smooth interrelationship are very much identical in the continent. Though the most cradle religions are in this continent, they are very much shaken by the poverty and politically also very unstable after the colonization. It is the momentous hour for the Asians to contribute their faith reflection towards the growth of Asians in fuller personhood.

Though more than half of the world’s population resides here, but the number of the Christians is very less, not even 3%. The Christianity here is looked as the foreign religion. In that situation how to preach the Good News, gradual development of poverty, enrich the Christian identity, social, political and cultural life were discussed thoroughly.

B.    The vision of thing to come:

As we have seen that world’s 60% people reside in this planet but the number of the Christians are very small. In this planet as the suppressed people are coming up with their rights, it may not be peace but gigantic crisis in future. They may attempt to secure it by force. Therefore, if the Christians are not the leaven of the dough, if the try to practice religion with western culture then, there will be no future for the Christians. It is very clearly said that the three most challenges are

to be met in future in this planet: such as; evangelization, serving the Kingdom of God and to witness through martyrdom. In theological perspective as Jesus is sent to the world by God to preach His Kingdom, so he disciples also sent by Jesus with the same mission. As the member of he Church we are also called to preach the same mission like other follower of Christ. As the member of the universal Church and as She herself as missionary, so it is a common mission to her members to partake in that mission. All Christians are called to serve as Christ did. Though we see the different ministries in the Church but all are called to serve. They all are the true experience of diakonia in the Mother Church.

Part II: A) Regarding the ministry of the Church the Vatican II says “the constitutive of the particular church of the diocese are a community of the believers, the Holy Spirit in whim they are gathered, the Gospel which is preached in their midst, the Eucharist which they celebrate, and he bishop who, as “visible principle and foundation of unity, ”exercise among them his teaching, sacramental and pastoral ministry. Though here are many basic communities formed in different places, which are in the lower state of parish that is not that there is no any theological significance. They are the grass-roots level of the most basic reality of the Church.

B) A group of people is as a basic community when the number of the people is such that they know really one another and meet with one another, relate to one another. A basic community becomes a Christian community when its inspiration, model center is Jesus the risen Lord. There is openness of the charisms s of the Holy Spirit, a praying and worshiping together. This community is formed in different need, such as; inadequate of ministers; lot of believers but less priests, to support he ministers in non-Christian environment, to serve the small Christian communities and to witness in community among the ideological struggle taking place in Asia. In order to develop this basic community the conference also suggested few things: Such as;

• To exchange the basic Christian community among the different countries of Asia

• Promote leadership style according to Asian context
• To exercise participative leadership as a means of man’ dignity and freedom and
• To study he problems of providing the Eucharist celebration for our basic Christian community.

Part III: Forms of ministry and Training

The universal Catholic Church contains forms of ministry and the training period of the future ministry. It is very clearly stated that in Asia we need the forms of ministries to preach the Word of God. The specific mission they assume in the verifying religious, culture and socio-economic situations of our countries primarily urge this call. In this call all are invited to partake in the living mission of Christ. 

    Regarding the discussion of forms of ministry and the training few things are very clearly notified which will play very important role in the living mission of Christ. These are as follows:

·         Ministries of the lay people, which will be very effective in the Asian context to carry out the mission.

·         The Evangelist who will share the Good news with their non Christian brothers and sisters.

·         The Catechist, preacher religious teacher who will play important role among the children, youth adults, worker in urban areas.

·         The ministry for liturgy and liturgical animation, prayer leaders, Acolyte, Lector and Cantor who will give service around the table of Word and the table of Bread.

·         The ministry of family apostolate who will reach the Word and the love of God to all the families.

·         The Ministry of the health, education and counseling.

·         The ministry of inter-religious dialogue

·         The ministry of social concern, social leaders, peacemakers.

·         The ministry of youth, university students, high school students and campus leaders.

·         The ministry to workers, farmers and other occupations.

·         The ministry of communication, mass media

·         The ministry of pastoral leadership

·         Formation for ministries for lay people

A.    Formation program

B.    Method of formation

C.    Helping to emerge

D.    Basic training

E.    Specific training

F.     Inter-relationship with community

·         Women in ministry

·         The ministry of Deacons and formation

·         Ministry of Presbyters and formation and

·         The ministry of Bishops

Part IV: The ministers of the Church to whom the growth of the Church is depended must me the example for all the people in the Asia. Their life style must be with gospel based. When each community of the Christian will act as Jesus then they will be the model for the people of Asia. They need to be Asianized with the Asians in culture, social and other areas. Otherwise there will be no future for the Christians in future.