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Vol. XVIII x No. 1
JANUARY 2006
World
Mission Home
Editorial
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The first Asian Mission Congress, which will take place in Thailand this October, is an event of particular importance. It will give the Church of this vast continent, rich in history and wisdom, the opportunity to meet (the delegates will surely be drawn from among the Church’s most active and mission-motivated elements); to celebrate its faith and God’s presence in its midst; to acknowledge the Spirit’s action in the various peoples, cultures, traditions and religions; to share difficulties, struggles and dreams; and to recount the inspiring experiences of life and mission in such pluralistic societies and diversified religious and cultural contexts – stories of peaceful coexistence, mutual tolerance, dialogue, prayer and social commitment with believers of other faiths.
The gathering will also be a unique opportunity to assess the state of mission in Asia and to renew the commitment toward the evangelization of the huge portion of humanity who lives in this continent (more than three-fifths of the world’s inhabitants). In spite of its limitations and general poverty of means and personnel, the Asian Church will be reminded once again that the vitality of a Church is not measured by the number and length of its devotions – which may be no more than intimistic spirituality – but by its apostolic dynamism and prophetic stand in the face of abuses against human dignity. Particular Churches will be called once again to respond to their missionary vocation and will be encouraged to follow the footsteps of Jesus, the great evangelizer sent by the Father.
We do not achieve peace by making war. There is no sustainable human development when defense is the priority. In the past two years, there has been a dramatic 20 percent increase in world military expenditure. The combined arms sales of the top 100 arms-producing companies increased 25% in a one-year period. Worldwide, the arms trade – both "legal" and illegal – is a huge business. It is on the rise and there is not yet a legally binding instrument on small arms transfers.
The number of Asian ad gentes missionaries is just one of the indicators we can use to gauge the evangelical spirit of a particular Church. We know that it is not easy to leave one’s own family, country and culture. The promptings of the Spirit may also be choked by the size and urgency of the local needs and by some misleading "theological" arguments. It is also important to avoid confusing the pastoral care of migrant communities – in itself a very recommendable pastoral activity – or the maybe somewhat less than noble emigration of priests in search of a better life (as may be happening, perhaps, in the Philippines) with the realization of the missionary vocation. The sending out of missionaries is a sign of a true Christian Church. The Philippines, as the country with the largest number of Catholics in Asia, has particular responsabilities in this regard, especially toward the rest of the continent.
The Congress will also give God’s people in Asia the opportunity to offer its witness to the universal Church. In spite of being almost a "little flock" everywhere, the Church in Asia has a remarkable testimony to render. First of all, of martyrdom: living often in adverse conditions and contexts, many Christians and communities are discriminated against and persecuted because of their commitment to the faith. They can offer the whole Church an example of humility and of endurance in hostile surroundings, and of identifying with Christ’s passion and death. Secondly, the Asian Church can share its experiences of real interreligious relationships, work and dialogue with members of other great religions – Islam, Hinduism, Budhism, Confucianism, Taoism and traditional religions.Lastly, it can enrich the whole Church with its experiences of faith, its way of interpreting and living out the Gospel, its characteristic spirituality and forms of meditation. And since, at the same time, the Church in Asia continues to need much support from abroad, the Congress can be an appeal to the rest of the Church for solidarity and fraternity.
Meanwhile, particular Churches are supposed to prepare themselves for the celebration, to make the Congress a point of departure; and – as John Paul II affirmed in 1998 on the occasion of the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops – "a time of grace when the Church in Asia is called to a fresh missionary outreach." May St. Francis Xavier, whose 500th birth anniversary we celebrate this year, be an example and an inspiration for us all.
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