About 150 cardinals, bishops, theologians, and pastoral leaders representing 29 Asian nations gathered in Jakarta on July 20 for the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
Hosted by the Archdiocese of Jakarta at Hotel Mulia Senayan from July 20 to 26, the premier continental gathering seeks to map out a shared pastoral road map for a region marked by immense cultural richness, rapid economic shifts, and deep religious pluralism.
Becoming ‘Bridge-Builders’ in a Pluralistic Continent
This year’s assembly is being held under the theme, “Synodal Conversion and the Mission to Be Bridges and Bridge-Builders in Asia.”
Framed by the Gospel of John — “You will see greater things” (John 1:50) — the gathering challenges local Churches across the continent to move away from isolated, siloed ministries toward a collaborative, listening, and relational missionary vision.
Speaking about the theological roots of the assembly’s theme, Fr. Joseph Anucha Chaiyadej, executive director of Catholic Social Communication Thailand, emphasized that the call to be “bridge-builders” responds directly to the lived realities of Asian Catholics, who remain a small minority in most of their home countries.
Father Anucha is accompanying three Thai bishops to the assembly.
“Rather than acting as an isolated institution, the Asian Church views its mission as creating connections — acting as a ‘bridge’ — to foster harmony and human dignity,” Father Anucha said.
For decades, the FABC has taught that the Church in Asia does not evangelize through top-down proclamation but through what it calls a “Triple Dialogue”:
- With the religions of Asia: Engaging in sustained interreligious dialogue to build common ground, nurture peace, and counter religious extremism.
- With the cultures of Asia: Practicing “inculturation” — rooting the Christian faith deeply in local Asian traditions, art, and expressions rather than imposing Western models.
- With the poor of Asia: Standing in active solidarity with marginalized people, migrant workers, and impoverished communities, transforming the Church into a practical bridge connecting resources with real human needs.
A Week of Prayer, Discernment, and Regional Action
The assembly will officially open on July 21 with a solemn Eucharistic liturgy presided over by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, whom Pope Leo XIV appointed as his special envoy to the gathering.
FABC President Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão will deliver the keynote address, setting out a vision for strengthened interregional cooperation across the 29 member nations.
Throughout the week, delegates will participate in a full day of prayer and reflection led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, focusing on synodal formation through “Conversations in the Spirit,” a structured method of mutual listening and communal discernment.
Key working sessions will address pressing continental concerns, including:
- Structural poverty and widening economic inequality
- Escalating environmental degradation and climate vulnerabilities across Asia
- Social justice, human rights, and the protection of migrant populations
- The structural empowerment of women and the expansion of their leadership roles within the Church
Symbolic Gestures of Peace
Highlighting the gathering’s commitment to harmony, delegates will conclude the assembly with a symbolic visit to Jakarta’s historic Istiqlal Mosque through the “Friendship Tunnel,” an underground walkway connecting the national mosque with Jakarta Cathedral.
Indonesian civic and religious leaders have described the planned gesture as an important milestone for regional interfaith diplomacy and peaceful coexistence.
About the FABC
The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences is a voluntary association of episcopal conferences in Asia established with the approval of the Holy See to foster solidarity and shared responsibility for the Church and society.
Although its decisions do not have canonically binding legal force, member conferences accept them as a shared expression of collegial responsibility.
Continuing the momentum of recent reforms, including the establishment of a Commission for Synodality during the FABC Central Committee meeting in Bangkok last year, the 12th Plenary Assembly marks another step in accompanying Asian bishops through continuing formation, resource sharing, and joint pastoral action.
Footsteps Into the Future
As Church leaders spend the coming days in Jakarta listening to the complex realities facing their people, the 12th Plenary Assembly offers a signpost for the Church in Asia.
By stepping beyond its walls to build bridges across faiths, cultures, and socioeconomic divides, the Asian Church seeks to show that communion is not merely an internal goal but a vital service to the unity and peace of the region.
