Ecclesia in Asia

In a motu proprio issued yesterday, Leo XIV amended the Code of Eastern Churches, introducing this power in the event of a “serious and irreparable rupture”. The provision also applies to major archbishops. The Pope must, however, give his assent. Among the most recent cases is that of the Syro-Malabar Church in India

On Independence Day, the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference issued this year’s Pastoral Letter, which outlines the steps towards “a path of hope”. Concerns over the centralisation of power and the shrinking space for civil society: “The Church is not partisan, but neither is it apolitical”.

Created in 2001 to help children and women victims of abuse and violence, the Salvatorian Pastoral Care for Children works directly in parishes. Over the years, it has helped more than 5,000 children and trained more than 3,000 youths. For Sister Ruth Baguinon, by protecting rights, fullness of life is restored.

The oldest Trappist monk in the world has passed away at the age of 108. But his story evokes the brutal "death march" with which Mao's communists wiped out the monasteries of Yangjiaping and Liesse in the 1940s. He took part in the rebirth of the Abbey of Our Lady of Joy in Hong Kong in 1956.

Promoted by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Confucian Academy of Korea, the meeting will focus on the relationship between the "New Heaven and the New Earth" of the Apocalypse and the ideal of “Datong”, the "Great Harmony" described in the Book of Rites. Guidelines to Christian-Confucian dialogue developed by a group of experts will also be presented during the conference.

The full text of the final message issued today from Jakarta at the conclusion of the 12th General Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. A handbook summarising the pastoral priorities that emerged during the discussions between bishops and delegates is due to be published next year.

About 150 Catholic bishops from across the continent will gather tomorrow to elaborate new guidelines for missionary action. Leo XIV named Card Gracias as his delegate. The Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque was pleased that this meeting carries on the spirit of Pope Francis’s visit.

The Bishops’ Assembly has approved the establishment of a centre for the formation of “missionary disciples for a truly synodal Church”. It will support the implementation of the established ministry of catechists in individual dioceses.

The local Church celebrated with gratitude the significant anniversary of the religious profession of one of the Discalced Carmelite nuns from the monastery that has stood on Bukit Hill since 1938. Her testimony on the diocesan website: “We discover God’s hand in the work we do and in the sisters with whom we live”

On 2 July, over 70,000 faithful are expected at the Tac Say shrine for the beatification of Fr Truong Buu Diep, who was killed in 1946 by militiamen recruited by the Viet Minh for refusing to abandon his community. Cardinal Tagle is expected to preside over the ceremony as Pope Leo’s special envoy.

Pope Leo XIV yesterday spoke about the great Italian patron saint of migrants, who dreamt of going on a mission to the East like Saint Francis Xavier. After her death, her fellow sisters fulfilled this dream in Zhejiang and Henan until its forced closure under Mao. Nevertheless, it still continues through the Scalabrinian family who chose her as their patron in Asia.

Indian bishop and theologian Felix Machado addressed the international consultation on ecumenism in Asia in Chang Mai. “[W]e are called to seize every opportunity to extend the hand of reconciliation, in order to heal the wounds,” he said.