Santosh Digal

The IX Plenary Meeting of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences has closed in Manila. In the final document, the bishops invite priests, religious and lay people to rediscover the centrality of the Eucharist, "the most effective missionary act" that the ecclesial community can make.

The Indian bishop addresses the 9th plenary session of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences currently underway in Manila. The Eucharist and God’s Word are “the source of our unfailing strength”. The continent’s Christian communities need people who are moved by a “deep personal faith” that meets the challenges of daily life.

In Manila, the ninth session of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. 137 delegates, including cardinals, bishops and priests, representing 23 countries, gather from August 10 to 16 to discuss the theme "Living the Eucharist in Asia."

President Arroyo has signed an extension of the CARP, which establishes the distribution of land to farmers in the country. The Catholic Church has long fought for the approval of the legislation, despite the disinterest shown by parliamentarians. Now the bishops will monitor its proper implementation.

Talks between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels the only way to end a conflict that has lasted 40 years. More than 200 thousand people affected by war, mostly women and children. The work of the Catholic Church and of Christians and Muslims in support of the population of the island.

Under pouring rain a huge crowd followed the funeral cortege that brought the former president of the Philippines from Manila Cathedral to Memorial Park, for burial next to her husband. Mgr Villegas, who celebrated the service, noted her strong faith, which brought light to the country at its darkest hour.

They come from Thailand, India, Philippines, Myanmar and China, the Winners of the 2009 Ramon Magsaysay Award, in memory of former Philippine president. They are "true Asian heroes" because they do not surrender in front of "pressure and adversity."

The pope expresses "profound sadness" for the death of former president, of whom he stresses a "profound and unshakable faith." The funeral on August 5, the burial, in private, at the Manila Memorial Park, next to her husband. For Filipino Catholics she was an example of faith and "icon" in the fight for democracy.

Together with Card. Sin she led the " rosary revolution" which peacefully ended the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Gloria Arroyo declares 10 days national mourning.

Card. Rosales has visited several college campuses where there are university pastoral missions thanks to the presence of priests, religious and laity. The Archbishop of Manila reminds them to be "pillars of faith" and to support and educate young people in "an intimate relationship with Christ”.

Filipino teachers and religious comment on the latest work of Pope Bendict XVI. In the largest Catholic country of Asia, the contents of the encyclical become an essential guide to the complex dynamics of economic development.

Aquinas University in Albay province, a volcanic region, is teaching locals ancient methods of water filtering. The result is low-cost good drinking water and better living conditions for residents.