Ecclesia in Asia

In Dinajpur, Bangladesh, the anniversary celebration of her arrival at the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration monastery. Originally from Kerala, she built and guided the community of cloistered nuns. "I pray for world peace and the welfare of all."

The superior of the Missionaries of Charity describes how sisters around the world will mark the 25th anniversary of the foundress' death on Sept. 5. Tomorrow on Park Street in Kolkata, a new center for street children will begin operations. "Pray that we will carry on Mother Teresa's legacy: to do freely all the good we can for the love of God and our brothers and sisters."

After the listening process involving the individual Churches, the General Secretariat will draw up a synthesis from Rome by the end of October on which a continental consultation will take place. A number of Asian theologians will also be on the commission charged with drafting it. By the end of March 2023 a synodal meeting of the Churches in Asia will be held in which not only bishops but also priests, laity and religious will take part.

On Aug. 22 the inaugural session of the Bishops' Conferences of Asia at the shrine of Blessed Nichola Kitbamrung. 250 bishops, priests, religious and laity will participate in the meeting-which will have its focus Oct. 12-30. Adjunct Secretary Msgr. Allwyn D'Silva: "We will reflect on how to proclaim the Gospel to Asia today and what contribution our communities can make to the universal Church."

The Catholic community in Raishahi has not forgotten the PIME missionary who was shot to death by bandits on 14 August 1972 at a time when he was helping war refugees returning from India. His legacy includes the St Joseph’s School and College he had founded in Bonpara together with Fr Verdelli, which today has more than 2,000 students.

South Korea is debating the closure of large residential facilities that still house 25,000 patients. Parents fear their children might lose the care and assistance they need. For Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick, all “situations are not all the same”. The most appropriate solutions should be provided for each.

After the execution of Tomohiro Kato, coincidentally with that of Myanmar dissidents, the Justice and Peace Council of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan warns that, “The violence of the death penalty can never build a peaceful society. It is a barbarity that goes against the times and creates new violence.”

From July 26 to 28 the Indian Church gathers in Bengaluru to draft the synthesis that will be sent to Rome after diocesan reflections on the synodal journey. Conversion, new social challenges and the struggle to really listen to the laity and youth: some voices from the path taken so far.

Patrash Soren, from the Diocese of Dinajpur, still goes from village to village to preach the Gospel and prepare others for their baptism. Among the tribal people, “There is a great opportunity to touch the hearts of non-Christians”, many of whom “love our way of life, our culture, and Christ’s teachings," Soren explains.

On 3 July, feast day of Saint Thomas, Indian Christians of all denominations celebrate a day to remember that Christianity is not a foreign religion in their country. This year takes on a special significance since it is the 1,950th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Apostle in Chennai. “May Saint Thomas the Apostle help us to be strong in our faith,” said Archbishop Poola, chosen by Pope Francis to be a new cardinal.

In the face of the increasingly evident shrinking of spaces of freedom in Hong Kong, the bishop's reflection published in the diocesan weekly: "God's love and light are found in all things, even in the cracks. Accepting change does not mean approving of it, but learning to discern new possibilities. The tougher the conditions, the more resilient life will be."

The CBCB marked the milestone of half a century in the service of the Catholic communities in the country with a ceremony in Dhala. The contribution of schools and social services for all. A commitment equality and enhance recognition of female leadership in the life of the Church.