The President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) urged Catholic dioceses worldwide to make the Synod on Synodality an ongoing practice beyond the current Vatican meetings.
During a press briefing at the Vatican, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, Myanmar called on his brother bishops to organize local synods in their dioceses, emphasizing the importance of making synodality a sustained effort.
“I wish to encourage all bishops and all the dioceses that… we don’t start and stop with this [Synod on Synodality] meeting [in the Vatican] but is a continuous effort that we try in all Churches,” the prelate said.
According to a report by the Catholic News Agency, Cardinal Bo highlighted that conducting diocesan synods can be an effective means to “build a vision and mission” for local Churches.
He noted that such synods are not a new concept within the Catholic Church. “When I was made a bishop in 1990, one thing that attracted me in canon law is that about the diocesan synod,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience, Cardinal Bo shared that he has led diocesan synods multiple times in his career, across different dioceses.
The cardinal stressed the value of gathering feedback from a diverse range of voices within the diocese, including “farmers, from the villages, from parishes, and from workers, religious, and prisoners.”
He described the synodal consultations as a “worthwhile process,” providing a solid foundation for the development of local Churches, particularly in his home country of Myanmar.
The Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, which Cardinal Bo leads, is one of the 22 active members of the FABC.
Earlier this year, the conference hosted a synodality workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, attended by 38 delegates from local Churches across 17 countries.
The event, held from August 5 to 8, emphasized the need for unity and harmony as essential for the Catholic Church’s growth in Asia, a region where Christianity remains a minority religion.
Despite the challenges posed by Asia’s vast geography and “deep-rooted cultures and traditions” that often perceive Christianity as foreign, Cardinal Bo remains optimistic.
He believes the ongoing global synodal talks offer a “valuable opportunity” for “renewal” in local parishes.
“The [synodal] process has brought renewed energy and hope for the future, and the Church in Asia is committed to building a Church that includes everyone and listens to everyone,” he said.