Santosh Digal

For the first time, the role of women is highlighted as a key to prevent the new slave trade. Nearly 45 million people are victim of trafficking all over the world, nearly two thirds in Asia. For Sister Cecilian Espenilla of Talitha Kum, an organisation of Catholic women, modern slavery is opposed by all religious traditions. It is a crime against humanity and a serious offense against God.

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the fighting that began on 23 May are not a religious war. The prelates condemn Maute terrorism, which contradicts “the fundamental tenets of Islam”. They reiterate the need for interfaith dialogue. The task now is to rebuild “the persons affected because of the disruptions in their lives,” said Mgr Edwin Angot de la Peña, bishop of Marawi. An autonomous province in the south is need to achieve peace, said Bishop Orlando Quevedo, archbishop of Cotabato.

AYD will take place in Yogyakarta (archdiocese of Semarang) from 30 July to 6 August. Thousands of young Catholics are expected from all over Asia. The delegates of each country will spend a couple of days in different dioceses in Indonesia. For Stephen Borja of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, “The AYD is a fitting chance for all to experience the inter-cultural realities of Asia”.

People have grown. Their faith has matured in the trial. In 2013, the disaster affected 3,424,593 families in nine regions, causing the death of 6,193 people and injuring another 28,689. “[P]eople have a strong sense of sharing and cooperating with one another in a sense of communion,” Mgr Du said. In 2015 Pope Francis visited the affected regions during his apostolic journey. The pontiff’s visit was a joy and a blessing for everyone.

The meeting centred on family life, theology of the human body, evangelisation and collaboration between laity and clergy. The "CFC is God’s gift to the world and it is committed to renew family life,” said Card Fox Napier. "Strong faith in Christ will enable you to share your faith with others,” said Bishop John F. Du. “Marking the anniversary is a reminder to all of us to recommit ourselves to do more for families with love, commitment and joy," said CFC president George Campos.

Focused activities to revitalize the base ecclesial communities as agents of communion, participation and mission. Religious marriages down by 20% in 10 years; Participation in Sunday Mass fell from 64 to 37%. Bishop Socrates C. Mesiona: "Renew the commitment of parishioners to counter secularism". Support programs for the faithful. Fr. Amodo L. Picardal: "Transforming the parish into a center of missionary paths".

Sister Alice Kakkattupilliyil belongs to the Daughters of Charity. Since 2015, she has followed the education of 160 children aged 4 to 12 years . Her biggest difficulty is that children often do not want to go to school. "We must guide them with tenacity and fill them with optimism, patience, love and care."

The social arm of the Catholic Church has rescued nearly a million people. It has expertise in reducing disaster risk and connecting rescue and rehabilitation to development. The guiding principle must be "readiness", that is to know how to respond promptly and appropriately.

The nun belongs to the Congregation of the Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 2014 she was the first Catholic to arrive in Boudh district. Since then, she has taught children, and helped women learn to sew. For the first time, 30 women went to a government office.

Sister Inigo Joachim works as a volunteer for Prison Ministry India, a Catholic Association involved with prisoners across India for the past 30 years. The biggest problem is the solitude of prisoners. Abandoned by their families, they “need our presence, emotional support and a shoulder to cry". In turn, they "are our benefactors” since they “give meaning to our lives, vocation and mission."

Sister Manjula Bars belongs to the Congregation of the Servants of Mary. Sundargargh District has become a regular place for human trafficking. Tribal women and girls lured with promises of jobs end up sold as brides or into the human flesh market. For the nun, "Our biggest challenge and task is to network with” government, Church and society.

The state, which is the most populous in India with more than 200 million people, is now ruled by a Hindu nationalist cleric. The missionaries work in social and educational fields, including help to students, visit remote villages and listen to people's requests. Despite challenges and problems, they “do no lose heart," said one.