Bishop Paul Simick of Nepal urged Church leaders to embrace synodality as a pathway toward integrating Indigenous wisdom into the life of the Church.
“Even if we have differences of opinion, we will come into a synergy very quickly. And this is what Synodality is all about,” the prelate said at the Asian Forum on “Celebrating Synodality & Indigenous Living Tradition in the Asian Church” on Nov. 11.
The conference, running from Nov. 10 to 16 at the National Conference and Resource Center (NCRC) in Dhulikhel, Nepal, was organized by the faith-based group Circle of Sacred Rice (CSR).
It is one the largest gathering of Catholics and non-Catholic organizations working on missions with the Indigenous Peoples in Asia
In his opening remarks, Bishop Simick welcomed delegates to Nepal’s mountainous landscape, emphasizing the significance of Dhulikhel, a traditional Newari town, as the ideal setting to explore Indigenous culture and spirituality.
He described the forum as an “intense” yet “memorable” journey, encouraging participants to bring forth the “voices, the experiences, the cries, the tears, and the hope” of their Indigenous communities.
He emphasized that synodality is fundamentally a “Spiritual Experience,” underscoring the Church’s call to actively listen to diverse perspectives.
“It is not that everybody thinks alike, it is not that everybody has the same idea. We come with all of our differences, but we listen through the ears of our hearts to each other, so that the idea there will be what the Spirit wants, the fruit of the crop,” he said.
A core theme of the bishop’s message was the plight of Indigenous communities in Nepal and across Asia, who face discrimination and are disproportionately impacted by environmental changes.
Bishop Simick described Nepal as a “small yet incredibly biodiverse country,” home to 63 indigenous groups who account for 36 percent of the population.
He noted, however, that “throughout the history of Nepal, Indigenous Peoples have been systematically discriminated, marginalized, excluded, subjugated, dominated, exploited, and internally colonized” in various aspects of life, from land rights to economic opportunities.
Environmental challenges, especially climate change, compound these struggles, the bishop stressed. “Our mountains are weeping, confronted by a climate crisis that impacts us more severely than almost anywhere else,” he said.
The prelate described how Nepal has lost nearly a third of its glaciers within just three decades. He warned of the increasing threat of glacial lake outburst floods, noting that “more than 20 such catastrophic events have been recorded in recent decades, causing devastating impacts on downstream communities, infrastructure, and livelihoods.”
Bishop Simick echoed Pope Francis’ call from Laudato Si’, urging the Church to heed “the cry of nature” and to work collectively in “safeguarding and restoring our planet.” He highlighted the critical role that Indigenous communities play in protecting biodiversity and fostering environmental resilience.
“Indigenous people play a key role in safeguarding and sustaining the biodiversity of our common home,” he said.
The forum, he explained, offers an opportunity for leaders to draw practical insights that will inform the Church’s support for indigenous peoples.
He called on the participants to work toward “a sustainable future for our world, ensuring that our Indigenous Living Tradition is preserved for generations to come.”
Expressing gratitude to Caritas Nepal for hosting the event, Bishop Simick concluded with a blessing for the participants, wishing them “grace-filled days” of reflection, collaboration, and mutual respect.
“May the Spirit of the Lord be with each one of you these days,” he said, adding, “May Mary, our Mother, intercede for you. God bless you and thank you.”
