South East Asia

Perry Warjiyo is leaving before his term expires following criticism of the currency's weakening and capital flight. The heads of the stock exchange and the Indonesian Financial Services Authority had already resigned six months ago. For President Prabowo, this is a delicate transition.

Hundreds of pastoral workers, brought together by the archdiocese, gathered for the twelfth edition of the national conference on new ways to revitalise the missionary commitment. Fr Laguerda: “The success of proclaiming the Gospel is not measured in numbers, but in the transformation of our relationships”

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.

Pope Leo XIV’s video message to the FABC Assembly meeting in Jakarta. The bishops are working on a final document to guide Asian Christians in facing challenges in today's rapidly changing continent. Cardinal Suharyo: “Synodality is also a message to political leaders”.

Churches dedicated to the saint – whose feast day is 26 July – organise novenas that attract thousands of the faithful, renewing unity and family faith. The MEP missionaries spread this devotion throughout South-East Asia; the first chapel was founded in 1846 in Bukit Mertajam, now a pilgrimage destination in Penang.

The synodal discussions at the meeting underway in Jakarta singled out aggressive nationalism and the crisis of the family as some of the problems, while the faith of migrants and new technologies are among the opportunities. Discussions also centred on the cooperation provided by German Catholic organisations as well as the progress towards WYD 2027 in Seoul, which is expected to draw about 500,000 from around the world.

In Malaysia, where a harsh policy towards immigrants and asylum seekers prevails, an initiative backed by the UN Regional Office for Refugees aims to build bridges through food. In five short films posted on YouTube, public figures and migrants cook together, sharing stories and cultures.

Twelve months after the start of hostilities with Thailand, 20,000 Cambodians are still unable to return home in the border areas, many of them children. The NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak is working to offer a glimmer of hope through art.

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army is the first armed group of a major ethnic group to begin official talks with the central government since the 2021 coup. Recognition of an autonomous state is on the table, while pressure from China and control over mineral resources are dividing the opposition and reshaping the balance of power in the ongoing conflict.

Speaking at the FABC Assembly in Jakarta, Malaysian academic Choong Pui Yee urged Catholic communities to prevent national or ideological identities from prevailing over the common identity as believers in Christ. The secretary of the Catholic Biblical Federation said that synodality must begin again with the Word of God.

The pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation introduced the retreat for participants in the FABC Assembly underway in Jakarta today with a meditation. The members of the committees for the Document and the Final Message were elected. For Cardinal Ferrão, they will offer a practical “vademecum on Synodality in Asia”.

A census has identified 87,000 people aged over 65 living alone. There are no figures on how many die alone, but it is a growing phenomenon, according to funeral directors. A network of charities and volunteers ensures free support in the final moments of life, whilst the size of households and the support they provide are dwindling.