NEWS ARCHIVES 

FABC Plenary Program

The 9th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) will open with a Eucharistic celebration on August 11 at Manila Cathedral with Cardinal Francis Arinze, Papal representative to the assembly, as presider.  This will be followed by the official opening of the meeting at Pius XII Center, along United Nations Avenue.  The afternoon of the first day and the morning of Wednesday, August 12, will be devoted to the discussion of a working paper on the conference theme "Living the Eucharist with Christ in Asia."  Wednesday afternoon will be a discussion on the Statutes of the Federation, while Thursday, August 13, will see groupings of the participants according to regions; including a conference on "The Word of God and the Eucharist" by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, India.  For Friday, August 14, the workshop reports of the regional groupings will be presented as well as activity reports from the nine FABC offices, which carry out the basic activities of the Federation.

The morning of Saturday, August 15, will be open for interventions of individual bishops' conferences while the late afternoon and evening of this day will distribute the participants to some 12 parishes in Metro Manila for a pastoral exposure and dinner with local communities.

The Plenary will end on Sunday morning, August 16, with the final document of the meeting and the concluding Eucharist at the conference venue, Pius XII Center, Manila.  All in all, some 120 delegates and participants are expected, representing the 18 member-bishops' conferences of the Federation and 11 associate members.  The general theme of the assembly is "Living the Eucharist in Asia."  This will be the second time that such a plenary takes place in Manila, after the foundation of the Federation in Manila in1970, and the 6th Plenary Assembly in 1995. 030709

E-Newsletter of Laity and Family Office

The FABC-Office of Laity and Family has published its first e-newsletter in June.  The six-page edition features, beside others, a presentation on "Small Christian Communities as the Fundamental Paradigm of the Church" by the Bishop of Cheju diocese (South Korea), Monsignor Peter Kang.  There are also news sections from the Laity, Women and Youth Desks of the Office.  Persons interested in a hard copy can also ask for it directly from the office: fabclaity@gmail.com 010709

Evangelization among Indigenous/ Tribal Communities

A Consultation on "Evangelization among Indigenous/ Tribal Communities" will be held at the Redemptorist Center, Pattaya, Thailand from July 20-24, 2009.  The consultation is organized by the FABC-Office of Evangelization and will study beside others, the spiritual and cultural resources, methods of evangelization and emerging opportunies, but also the threads from globalization and dominant cultures.  Expected participants are those working among and living in indigenous/ tribal communities in different parts of Asia.  For details, please contact FABC-OE: jtheckanath@gmail.com. 250609

FABC Paper: Inter-Faith Marriages

"Theological and Pastoral Perspectives of Inter-Faith Marriages" is the theme of the latest FABC Paper No. 127 published by the Central Secretariat of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) in Hong Kong.  The paper develops further the considerations of a theological colloquium of Asian bishops in Hong Kong in May 2006 (FABC Paper No. 118), without claiming that the new publication "will be exhaustive in its theological and pastoral treatment of the issues of inter-faith marriages" (Introduction).  The expression "inter-faith marriage" refers to "the marriage of a Catholic with a believer who is not a Christian and is not baptized" (Introduction).  An opening situationer is followed by a theological vision, a longer section on the challenges and opportunities of pastoral practice, and the "Rites of Inter-Faith Marriages."  The situations in Thailand and Japan are especially studied.  The publication concludes with a section on "Islam and Inter-Faith Marriages."  The Paper is edited by Fr. Vimal Tirimanna, CsSR, the executive secretary of the FABC-Office of Theological Concerns.

"FABC Papers" aim to "bring the thinking of Asian experts to a wider audience and to develop critical analysis of the problems facing the Church in Asia."220609

Cardinal Arinze, Papal Envoy for FABC Plenary

Cardinal Francis Arinze, the former president of the Pontifical Congregation for Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican, has been appointed as the special representative of the Pope Benedict XVI for the 9th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) in Manila August 10-16.  The former archbishop Onitsha, Nigeria (1967-1985) was since 1985 president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in Rome till he became 2002 the head of the Communication for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican.  Together with the Cardinal will be also Archbishop Robert Sarah, secretary of the Pontifical Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda) in the Vatican.  He comes from French Guinea. The Plenary was originally planned for Bangalore in January 2009. 150609

Latest Communication INFO

The latest editions of the FABC-OSC Communication INFO (April, May and June) are now available. Click here

080609

FABC Plenary Assembly 2009 in Manila

The 9th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) will take place at Pius XII Center, Manila from August 10 to 16, 2009. Some 120 delegates from different member bishops' conferences are expected to attend the six-day meeting.  The theme "Living the Eucharist in Asia" will unfold through a sub-theme assigned for each day of the meeting.  On the first day "Witnessing to the Transforming Power of the Eucharist" will be the sub-theme, the second day will be on "The Eucharist as Service of Communion of Asian Cultures."  The third and following days will be devoted to the "Eucharistic Lord in Our Pilgrimage with People of Other Faiths, to Building Peace and Harmony, and Solidarity."  The final day will be on "Living the Eucharist in Sharing the Story of Jesus in Asia."  The Manila assembly follows the last Plenary (8th) on the role of Family in Asia in Daejeon, Korea, 2004.  Plenary Assemblies, the highest governing body of the Federation are held once every four years.  This year's assembly was planned originally for January 2009 in Bangalore, India but later postponed and transferred to Manila.  The last FABC Plenary Assembly held in Manila was in 1995 with Pope John Paul II's visit at the 25th anniversary of the FABC during the World Youth Day celebrations. 080609

BISCOM VII Final Statement Released

The Final Statement of the 7th "Bishops' Institute for Social Communication" (BISCOM VII) on "Social Communication in Catholic Universities of Asia: Fact,s Experiences, Challenges" is now available.  Like similar statements in the past, also this document is divided into "Orientations" and "Recommendations."  The orientations are based on the presentations at the meeting and the deliberations of the respective workshsops, which are then formulated into concrete resolutions to guide the work and responsibilities in the concern for social communication programs at Catholic universities in Asia.  Beside others, the importance of Christian values in programs and teaching are underlined and the commitment for proper research and cooperation.  Click here. 020609

German Bishops Visit AsIPA/ Korea

A group of six German bishops and four other delegates including the new president of Missio-Aachen, Msgr. Klaus Kraemer, visited Korea in April 2009  to learn about the AsIPA method for Basic Christian Communities.  Together with a group of bishops from five different countries of Asia, they visited Suwon  and Cheju dioceses and several parishes in South Korea to observe their experiences in setting up and developing Basic Christian/ Ecclesiastical Communities.  They were also presented with a theological reflection on Small Christian Communities as the fundamental paradigm of the Church by Bishop Peter Kang from Cheju diocese.  The German participants, under the leaderhsip of Archbishop Schick from Bamberg, were grateful for the whole experience which was also an immersion to Korean culture and hospitality.  The experience should, according to them also serve as an incentive for pastoral activities in Germany. 290509

Book on Pastoral and Evangelizing Communication with New Edition

A third and extended edition of "Communicating in Ministry and Mission, Introduction to Pastoral and Evangelizing Communication" has been published.  The book comes with some 30 pages more than the second edition, adding further considerations in the sections on Ethics and Internet.  It also introduces the new position of a "communication animator" within parishes and dioceses.  The book is authored by Franz-Josef Eilers, svd, executive secretary of the FABC-Office of Social Communication.  It is the basic textbook for an MA/Lic Theology program of the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila.  The second edition of the book released in 2004 is also available in Italian, Indonesian, Vietnamese translations and an Indian re-print.  The Mandarin, Thai and Korean editions are in preparation.

The new book is available at Logos Publications, 1916 Oroquieta Street, 1003 Manila Fax: (+632) 7322736 Email: info@logospublications.com 250509

BISCOM VII:  Social Communication in Catholic Universities of Asia

Representatives of 34 Catholic universities and colleges from 13 Asian countries reflected and discussed the situation and challenges of teaching "social communication" in Asia.  Bishops and secretaries of bishops' commissions for communications were also present at the seventh "Bishops' Institute for Social Communication" (BISCOM VII) held in the Suvarnabhumi campus of Assumption University in Bangkok May 11-16, 2009.  The meeting was organized by the Office of Social Communication of the FABC in cooperation with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in the Vatican.

All in all, there are about 50 Catholic universities and colleges with communication programs in Asia.  The majority are found in the Philippines which is a predominantly Catholic country, like East Timor.

The participants included Oswald Cardinal Gracias from Mumbai, and the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Monsignor Paul Tighe.  They were reminded of the Church teachings on the responsibilities of Catholic universities in general, and in the field of communications in specific.  The Pastoral Instruction "Communio et Progressio," in particular, assigns "special studies on the effects of social communication in different cultural environments and on different types of people." (no. 184)

The expression "social communication," as proposed and accepted by the Second Vatican Council over and above "mass media" or similar other terms, was also clarified.  "Social communication programs of Catholic universities in Asia need to mirror a theological perspective which is roted in a distinctively Catholic ethos," the final statement of BISCOM VII says. Beside others, there is "need to go beyond what we have done in the past to meet the challenges before us," the participants acknowledge. The conference tried to translate the considerations into concrete proposals, like fostering ethnic values, faith formation and theology, depending on the possibilities in the contexts.  The need for a truly Christian-inspired ethics beyond the mere "Codes of Conduct" of professional organizations was underlined, as well as the need for a deep spirituality of the communication professor who communicates often through his/her personality, more than the content of the programs.

Also the need for greater networking was underlined without, however, developing concrete steps.  The need for proper research in the field as well as the role of social communication in general were also identified as important concerns.  (The full text of the final statement will be published later.) 180509

Summary of Doctoral Dissertations on FABC

A two-volume listing of all existing doctoral dissertations on the FABC till 2008 has been published by Maryknoll Father James H. Kroeger under the title "Theology from the Heart of Asia, FABC Doctoral Dissertations 1985-2008."  The two volumes, with a total of some 940 pages, re-print the title, the list of content and bibliographies of 27 dissertations submitted to 17 different universities or Schools of Theology located in 13 different places all over the world.

The volumes intend "to serve as a source book for professors, researchers, bishops, theology students and pastoral workers in Asia and beyond."  (Introduction)  The editor of the volumes sees his contribution as a proof for the FABC to be "validly termed: Asia's continuing Vatican II" and "a clear testimony to the continuing action of the Holy Spirit in Asia."

The two volumes are published by Claretian Publications, Manila.  Volume 1 contains the dissertations from 1985 to 1998, and volume 2 the ones from 1999 to 2008. Price is 1,000 Pesos in the Philippines (P998), and 40USD for the international market. 110509

The Migrant Family in Asia

The presentations of a "Consultation on Migrants and Refugees," as the Second Bisops' Institute for Christian Advocacy (BICA II) December 4-8, 2007 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, are now available as a book.  The publication under the title "The Migrant Family in Asia: Reaching Out and Touching Them" is edited by Bro. Anthony Rogers, fsc and provided by the FABC-Office of Human Development in Manila.  The 238-page publication presents, beside the general overview, reports on the migrants' situation in different Asian countries but also the considerations of the different workshops of the meeting. The book does not "just analyze and reflect on the current problems being faced by migrants

and their families but tries to create a greater awareness of the need to stand up for human migration" (Foreword).The book is dedicated to two former chairmen of the FABC-OHD, the late Cardinal Fumio Hamao who died on Nov 8, 2007 and Bishop Leon Thammarai of Kottar, India who died Jan 16, 2007.040509   The book is available at the OHD,1451 P. Guevarra Street Sta. Cruz, Manila 1014 Philippines Tel: (63-2) 731 3768 Fax: (63-2) 743 2618 Email: ohdfabc@tri-isys.com

Youth Ministry Regional Meeting

"Catch the Vision, Live the Dream" was the theme for a Youth Ministry Regional Training for South-East Asia in Bangkok April 20-24, 2009 organized by the Youth Desk of the FABC-Office of Laity and Family.  26 youth minister from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar gathered to understand better the basic foundations and principles of Youth ministry, to explore components of Youth ministry, and to become aware of modern Youth culture and consequences for catechetics and different fields of Youth ministry.  The meeting deepened the resolve of Youth ministers to establish collaboration and networking among them.  From an activity-oriented approach, the participants plan to professionalize the Youth ministry within the region and to develop effective structures for mutual support. 300409

Bishops in Dialogue

"The Church's Called to Dialogue: Special Role of Bishops" is the title of a seminar for bishops responsible for interreligious dialogue within the Asian bishops' conferences and other interested bishops. The seminar will be organized by the FABC-Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (OEIA) from July 21-25, 2009 in Bangkok.  The meeting aims to reflect, discuss and jointly address that challenges faced by the Asian Church in understanding the rich religious and cultural plurality of Asia. 280409

Radio Veritas Asia: 40 Years of Broadcasting

Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), the only continental Catholic radio station in the world beside Vatican Radio, celebrated 40 years of broadcasting under the theme "Crossing Borders, Sharing Christ" on April 15-16 at the studio premises in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

A symposium on April 15 entitled "Catholic Radio Broadcasting in Asia" preceded the main celebration on April 16.  The symposium was opened with RVA Broadcasting Experiences for China, India, Myanmar (Burma) followed by a life-experience of radio broadcasting in Asia from Prof. Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, president of Saint John's University in Bangkok.
Mrs. Irmgard Icking (Missio), the European funding coordinator for RVA programs, stressed in a special way the responsibility of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) as the Church-body responsible for programming and financing the station.  Confirmed already at the first FABC general assembly in Taipei (1974) and again at the Bandung general assembly (1990), the FABC should "seriously participate in the financing and striving a financial sustainability of the RVA operations."  The FABC as well as the station, she said, should not avoid a serious self-critical assessment because "failing to plan is planning to fail."

The jubilee on April 16 started with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Archbishop Claudio Ma. Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication at the Vatican, along with two Cardinals, the Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines, Archbishop John Edward Adams, some 17 Bishops and a greater number of priests concelebrating.  More than 300 guests were present.

In the midst of congratulatory messages of many bishops and the German ambassador to the Philippines, Archbishop Oswald Gomis (Colombo) shared his experiences right from the early 1970s with RVA, where also the FABC Office of Social Communication was born.

Awards of recognition were given to several institutions.  A "Cardinal Sin -RVA Award" was created on the occasion of the jubilee and for the first time given to Mons. Pietro Van Nguyen Tai, program director of the station who began his work there as a producer for Vietnamese programs in 1978.

RVA broadcasts in 15 different languages to some 20 Asian countries including four hours to mainland China, two and a half hours to Vietnam.  The station also re-broadcasts the daily Vatican Mandarin program for China and is available with some programs on the Internet. Visit the RVA site. 200409

First publication of the FABC Youth Desk

The Youth Desk of the FABC-Office of Laity and Family has published its first book with the proceedings of the second "Bishops' Institute for Lay Apostolate" (BILA II on Youth) which took place in Johor, Malaysia Nov 10-14, 2007.  Under the title "Youth Ministry in Asia: Reliving the Emmaus Story," the publication documents the proceedings on a day-to-day basis of a journey of the participants: from a "Look at Reality" to the "Heart of the Ministry" to the question "What Now?" and the Final Statement.  In a second part, youth ministry reports and stories from the different countries of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Central Asia are presented together with an analysis.

The 223-page new book, which also celebrates 10 years of the existence of the Youth Desk within the FABC Office of Laity and Family, hopes "to serve as a companion to all youth commissions and all those called to be at the service of our young people" (Introduction).  The editor, Jessica Joy Candelario, head of the FABC OLF Youth Desk hopes that the publication "can convey the dreams and convictions of the Church in Asia for its young populace." The book is available from the FABC-OLF Youth Desk, Maryhill compound, Ortigas Avenue Ext., Taytay Rizal, Philippines Email: joyphils03@yahoo.com 170409

World Communication Day 2009 Message & Liturgical Texts

The latest editions of the FABC-OSC Communication INFO are now available.  The February edition features the Holy Father's Message for World Communication Day 2009; while the March edition carries the commentary and Liturgical texts for the celebration. 060409

click here

AsIPA Exposure for German Bishops

An exposure program for German bishops on the "Asian Integrated Pastoral Approach" (AsIPA) has been organized by the respective desk of the FABC Office of Laity and Family.  The dates are set for April 14-22, 2009 in the Korean dioceses of Suwon and Jeju.  Members and trainers of the FABC AsIPA Team will familiarize six bishops from Germany, and some of their cooperators with the Korean culture and the AsIPA experiences of the FABC in these two dioceses and beyond.  Eight Asian bishops from six countries will join the exchange and report on their own experiences in Basic Christian Communities.  The group of German bishops is led by Archbishop Dr. Ludwig Schick of Bamberg who heads the respective commission in the German bishops' conference. 060409

INFO on Human Development

The latest issues of the "INFO on Human Development" are now available.  Jan-Jun 2008 contains the key papers on the issue of Family and Migration in Asia. Jul-Dec 2008 document's the FABC-Office of Human Development's conference on "Nurturing the Inner Being for a New Social Evangelization" (Bangkok, Sept 15-19, 2008). 060409

click here

FABC bishop asked for meditation on the Way of the Cross

Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, SDB, of Guwahati, India and chairman of the FABC Office of Evangelization has been asked to write the meditations for this year's Way of the Cross on Good Friday at the Coliseum in Rome.  In an interview with AsiaNews, the archbishop interpreted the request of the Pope as a sign that "his Holiness regards very highly the identity of Asia," and apparently, "has a prophetic vision for Asia" as a "the cradle of civilization."  The archbishop intends to mention various places in the meditations from the Himalayas to the Alps and Americas so that the "message of Christ echoes to all the ends and corners of the world to enrich humanity."  In an interview with the South Asia Religious News (SAR News), he shows his struggles in writing the meditations: "I had several commitments already, including a social work program in the villages of Mariampur parish for about 250 young people... It was not easy to produce a set of meditations and prayers for the use of the Holy Father on one of the holiest occasions of the year, in a village with no assistance... constant power cuts, generator failures and computer collapses... I was not merely describing the agony in my meditations but also experiencing it.. (but) my agony was nothing in comparison with that of those poor villagers who were striving for sheer survival against all odds..."

Archbishop Menamparampil who serves a third term as chairman of the FABC Evangelization office is convinced that "living out our faith leads to an enhanced human development in every field of life."  "A person of deep faith," he says, "will be able to enrich society through development and also build bridges of understanding, peace and harmony." 300309

Asian Youth Day Preparations Launched

Preparations for the 5th Asian Youth Day to be celebrated November 20-27, 2009 in the Philippines started on March 14, 2009 in Silang, Cavite, Philippines. The Episcopal Commission on Youth, the Imus Diocese, and Youth Desk of the FABC Office for Laity and Family were the organizers of the assembly. Some 1,000 young people were present at the Nuestra Senora dela Candelaria parish of Silang where the Asian Youth Day will be held in November.

The celebration began with a brief background on the Asian Youth Day. Organized by the Youth Desk of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, the AYD has been held in Thailand (1999), Taiwan (2001), India (2003) and Hong Kong (2006). Through these events, young Asian Catholics are able to celebrate their faith, deepen their love for Church and are inspired to take on their mission in the midst of realities in Asia. Youth Commissions have likewise benefited in formation in ministry and through collaboration with each other.

Part of the launching was also the presentation of the official logo and the theme song for the Asian Youth Day. The AYD Cross, which has travelled all over Asia, started its journey in the Philippines, with visits to different parishes in the Imus diocese. From there, it will go to other places in the country to unite all in prayer for the upcoming event.

The theme of this year's AYD is "Young Asians, Come Together, Share the Word and Live the Eucharist." .240309

Radio Veritas Asia Broadcasting 40 Years

Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), the only continental Catholic short-wave station in the world, will celebrate forty years of broadcasting on April 15 and 16, 2009.  The station first aired its regular overseas and domestic programs on April 11, 1969 after a longer period of test broadcasts.
	The jubilee celebration on April 16 will be preceded by a symposium on April 15.  Radio producers, programmers and other invited professionals will share their experiences and insights on the theme "Catholic Radio Broadcasting in Asia."  The jubilee celebration proper on April 16 stands under the heading "Crossing Borders, Sharing Christ."  It will be opened by Archbishop Claudio Ma. Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in the Vatican, who will give the keynote address.  This will be followed by greetings and reflections from the Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines, Archbishop Joseph Edward Adams, and other Church and secular authorities.
Radio Veritas Asia operates in the responsibility of the "Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences" (FABC).  It broadcasts in 15 different Asian languages via short-wave.  Some programs are also available via the Internet.  The studios of RVA are in Quezon City, Metro Manila; whereas the transmitter site is in Palauig, Zambales, some 230 kilometers north-west of Manila.  Major parts of the programs are produced in the local target areas, wherever this is possible.160309

Latest Communication INFO

The latest editions of the FABC-OSC Communication INFO are now available.  The February edition features the Holy Father's Message for World Communication Day 2009; while the March edition will carry the commentary and Liturgical texts for the celebration.120309

click here

BISCOM VII Registration Extended

The date for registration for the seventh "Bishops' Institute for Social Commanication" (BISCOM VII) has been extended to March 16, 2009.  BISCOM VII will reflect and discuss "Social Communication in Catholic Universities in Asia: Facts, Experiences and Challenges."  All Catholic universities in Asia with communication programs are invited to participate together with any Asian Bishop interested and concerned about the theme.  The meeting will be held at the Suvarnabhumi campus of Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand from May 11 to 16, 2009.  BISCOM VII is organized by the FABC-Office of Social Communication, in cooperation with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in the Vatican.020309

Program

Timor Leste and FABC

The collaboration between the church in East Timor was strengthened through a recent visit of the FABC Assistant Secretary General, Fr. Raymond O'Toole.  The country is an associate member of the Federation because the country's two dioceses - Dili and Baucau - can not constitute a "bishops' conference" yet.  This will be only possible when a third diocese is erected, which is foreseen in the near future.  East Timor has less than one million inhabitants and is considered the most "Catholic" country in Asia (95%).  Together with the Philippines (85% Catholic), both are the only Christian countries in the Asian continent.250209

26 Doctoral Dissertations on the FABC

The number of doctoral dissertations on the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) and its documents has risen to 26 within the 39 years of the Federation's existence.  The very first doctoral thesis was submitted to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1985 under the title "The Idea of Church in Documents of the Federation of the Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), 1972-1982" written by Carolus Boromeus Putranta.  The newest thesis published this year (2009) was written by Ruben C. Mendoza and submitted to the Catholic university in Leuven, Belgium under the title "Church in Dialogue with Peoples of Other Faiths: A Journey to the Kingdom of the Spirit. The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (1970-2007)."  The different doctoral dissertations were submitted at 15 different universities throughout the world. 180209

New Ecumenical OEIA Secretary

The Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (OEIA) of the FABC has a new secretary for ecumenical issues in the person of Maryknoll Father William LaRousse.  He succeeds Jesuit Father Tom Michel in the Ecumenical Desk of the FABC-OEIA.  Fr. LaRousee has a Doctorate in Missiology from the Gregorian University in Rome (2001), and has been working since 1977 in Mindanao, Philippines.  He is teaching beside others at St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao in Davao City.  As "ecumenical secretary," Fr. LaRousse will handle the Ecumenical Desk of FABC-OEIA, similar to desks of other FABC offices.

Fr. Michel served as executive secretary of the OEIA, being responsible for both interreligious and ecumenical desks of the office.  After Bro. Edmund Chia succeeded in the post, Fr. Michel continued as ecumenical secretary building relations and cooperating with other Christian churches in Asia.  The relations with other Asian religions remained in the responsibility of the executive secretary of the office.  There is a long-standing cooperation between the FABC and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), considered the Protestant counterpart of the FABC. 090209

5th ASIAN Youth Day 2009

The FABC-OLF-Youth Desk is organizing the 5th Asian Youth Day (AYD) to be held in the Philippines on November 20-27, 2009. Inspired by the Synod on the Word of God and the FABC Plenary theme on Living the Eucharist, the 8-day event hopes to:

• Renew Asian youth’s  faith in and love for the Word of God and the Eucharist
• Celebrate youthfully the Word and the Eucharist in their contexts, cultures and communities
• Enable the young to become agents of transformation by living out the Word and the Eucharist in our realities in Asia

The AYD hosts aim to gather some 2,000 Asian youth delegates from the 22 countries.

Among the highlights of the event are 3-day Parish/Host Family experiences, plenary sessions on the Word and Eucharist, sub-regional reflections and deepening experiences, workshops and meaningful prayers and liturgies. There will also be post-AYD workshops.

After the AYD, the Asian Youth Ministers’ Meeting (AYMM) will be held on November 27-30, 2009 for the Episcopal Youth Commissions across the region to deepen the AYD experience in the level of ministry and to foster greater collaboration among youth ministers and leader in the region.

A preparatory meeting will be held in the Philippines on March 24-26, 2009 to formally launch the event, provide important information for delegations and finalize the program plan.

For more details please contact the FABC-OLF-Youth Desk at asianyouthdesk@gmail.com.

020209

Archbishop Celli at Radio Veritas Asia Jubilee

Archbishop Claudio Ma. Celli, the president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in the Vatican, will be the main celebrant in the 40th aniversary celebration of Radio Veritas Asia in Manila on April 16, 2009.  The radio station for Asia, which is in the responsibility of the FABC, started regular broadcasts on April 11, 1969.  The station broadcasts via short-wave and Internet in 15 Asian languages.  Beside Vatican Radio, RVA is the only continental radio station of the Church in the world. 270109

Communication Meeting Dates Changed

The dates of BISCOM VII (seventh "Bishops' Institute for Social Communication") were shifted by one week from May 4-9 to May 11-16, 2009.  The meeting will be held at Assumption University, Suvarnabhumi campus in Bangkok, Thailand.  Some 60 participants are expected to discuss the role and importance of communication teaching and research at Catholic universities in Asia. 270109

Social Communication programs at Catholic Universities in Asia

Social communication programs at Catholic universities in Asia will be the focus of discussions and sharings at the seventh "Bishops' Institute for Social Communication" (BISCOM VII) from May 4 to 9, 2009 at Assumption University in Bangkok.  Representatives from some 30 different Catholic universities in Asia will share the content, teaching methods and experiences with their undergraduate and graduate students in this field.  Speakers will also highlight the special obligations of Catholic universities for social communication studies and training:  What makes social communication in Catholic universities different from others?  What do the teachings of the Church indicate in this field?  How can a more close cooperation and vision for these concerns be developed in Asia?  The meeting will be organized by the FABC-Office of Social Communication in cooperation with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in the Vatican.  A bigger group of university representatives are expected but also a considerable group of bishops to share the concerns and inter-link academe with bishops and their conferences.  Participation is by invitation only. 190109

New "FABC Paper"

A new release in the "FABC Papers" series has been published by the Central Secretariat in Hong Kong.  Paper No. 126 is on "Being Schools, Becoming Eucharist."  The publication lists the different presentations of a conference organized by the FABC-Office for Education and Faith Formation (OEFF) at Assumption University, Bangkok from May 25 to 30, 2008.  Participants were administrators, teachers and others from 10 Asian countries.  The three parts of the meeting were: (1) "Educators Speak," (2) "Bishops Speak," (3) "Professionals, Parents and Youth Speak."  Every section has at least two, one section three papers which are re-printed in this FABC Paper together with a longer Final Statement.120109

FABC in 2009

The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) will finally celebrate its 9th Plenary Assembly from August 10-16, 2009 in Manila.  The assembly is supposed to take place every four years, but last year's schedule was postponed twice.  First, because of the Roman Synod of Bishops in October 2008, it was to be celebrated in the first month of 2009.  The proposed date was made impossible because of another important meeting in Rome where leading Asian bishops had to be present.  This year's FABC plenary assembly theme will be "Living the Eucharist in Asia."  Plenary Assemblies are the highest legal body within the Federation.  Up until 2004, assemblies used to conclude with short Final Statements reflecting the main considerations, messages or statements with some 12 to 20 pages.

Also, in 2009 will be the General Assembly of AsIPA (Asian Integrated Pastoral Approach) in Davao, Philippines from October 20 to 29.  AsIPA is the Asian application for Lectio Divina and Basic Christian Communities.  It was developed and has a Desk within the FABC Office of Laity and Family.

The Central Secretariat will again start to organize Leadership Seminars for Bishops in March (4-9) and October (12-17) this year.

The Office of Social Communication will organize, in cooperation with the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, the seventh "Bishops' Institute for Social Communication" (BISCOM VII) on "Social Communications in Catholic Universities of Asia: Facts, Experiences, Challenges."  This BISCOM will take place from May 4-9, 2009.

"Radio Veritas Asia," the Catholic short-wave radio station for Asia which is under the responsibility of the FABC, is celebrating 40 years of broadcasting on April 16 in Manila. 050109

See Events calendar

New Dates and Place for 9th Plenary Assembly

The 9th FABC Plenary Assembly which was to take place January 12-19, 2009 is now set for August 10-16, 2009 in Manila, Philippines. Plenary Assemblies are the highest authority in the structure of the FABC. 211208

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