The Way Forward

by James H. Kroeger

WALKING THE PATH OF DIALOGUE IN MISSION

The Missionary Societies of Apostolic Life (MISAL) met in Thailand recently, where they explored the value of dialogue when engaging in missionary activity. this is only the beginning for the Church in Asia as it discovers this path in mission.

“Dialogue is important for building up human community - a necessary step for sharing Jesus’ message with people of other faiths.”  “Entering into dialogue is already Good News in itself.”  “After this mission gathering, I go back to Japan with renewed hope - hope that the Church will keep walking in the direction of showing more respect, mutuality, warmth and openness in its relations with other religions.”

Unique group

These comments by three missionaries from India, Canada, and Japan are typical of the statements expressed at the conclusion of the recent  MISAL gathering in Thailand.  MISAL is the acronym for Missionary Societies of Apostolic Life, a unique group of missionary societies that focus their efforts on the Church’s ad gentes (foreign, overseas, cross-cultural) missionary apostolate. 

Fifteen such societies have pontifical status (e.g. Columbans, Maryknoll, PIME, Guadalupe); several other groups of national or diocesan right have begun, especially after Vatican II, in places like Korea, India, Nigeria, Thailand, and the Philippines.  The MISAL superiors general gather internationally every two years to focus on pivotal topics in contemporary mission.  In the intervening years, continental assemblies are held.

Exploring dialogue

MISAL 2004 explored the role of inter-religious dialogue in ad gentes missionary activity;  appropriately, MISAL gathered in Asia, home to 85% of the world’s non-Christians. The sessions followed a personal, experiential approach; the presenters narrated their “dialogue of life” experiences.  Reflection-discussion periods followed.

The first resource person was Maryknoller Bob McCahill, who narrated through photos and experiences his daily encounter with Muslims.  Since his 1975 arrival in Bangladesh, Bob simply tries to live as a friend and brother to his Muslim neighbors, offering a positive witness to the gospel ideals of service and love.

Following the same experiential approach, diocesan priest Niphot Thiengwiharn of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, narrated his involvement with the indigenous peoples who practice cosmic/traditional religions.  Father Niphot explored the “people’s paradigm of life, truth and values”; he vividly portrayed the holistic approach to balanced relationships with the divine, with people, and with nature. 

MISAL-2004 included one formal lecture-presentation; Maryknoller James Kroeger gave an overview of the Church in Asia, the three-decade experience of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), and the unique insights that Asia and the FABC offer for appreciating inter-religious dialogue as an essential dimension of mission.  

Two steps  

The Buddhist-Christian dialogue segment of the MISAL meeting unfolded in two steps. 

After a brief introduction to Theravada Buddhism practiced in Thailand by Jean Dantonel of the Thai Mission Society, the thirty participants visited the Pathom Asoke Buddhist Temple and Community.  Following a gracious welcome by a senior Buddhist monk and a female novice, a video presentation gave the history and guiding principles of the Pathom Asoke Community. 

A fascinating question-and-answer period enabled the group of Catholic missionaries appreciate Pathom Asoke’s communal life-style, prayer, mediation, and witness based on the precepts of Lord Buddha.  This community has over 400 members (monks, female novices, single and married persons) who vigorously practice Buddhism in everyday life; as a communal form of Buddhism, it is in contrast to most other temples in Thailand that only support resident Buddhist monks.  

New experience

          Additional experiences enhanced the MISAL gathering. The group traveled 75 kilometers north of Bangkok to the city of Ayutthya, founded in 1350 by King Uthong and the Thai capital for 417 years. 

This city also has important religious significance; it is considered the founding place of the Church in Thailand.  On August 22, 1662 Bishop Lambert de la Motte and two priests arrived; they were members of the “mother” of all MISALs, the Paris Foreign Mission Society.  They were given permission by King Narai to build the “Saint Joseph Mission” and constructed the church in 1666. 

The MISAL-2004 group visited the mission compound, toured the renovated church which dates from 1891, and celebrated the Eucharist together in this holy place which has had continuous worship for over 300 years.  Later the same day Bishop Chamniern of Nakorn Sawan welcomed MISAL in the name of the Thai Bishops’ Conference.

All participants were impressed, fascinated, and inspired by the experience.  They noted several points: the personal life, enthusiasm, prayer and faith of the presenters attracted them;  superiors should pay attention to the pioneers and trail-blazers in newer mission approaches; mission societies need to address the pastor-missioner tension in their apostolic works; more attention should be given to the action of the Holy Spirit, the principal agent of mission; “narrative” theology and missiology is an effective approach to communicate mission experience.

Copyright©2003 World Mission Magazine