ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences issues working paper for its next Assembly in August on the theme “The Asian Family towards a Culture of Life”

Seoul (Fides Service) - Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences FABC has issued the working paper for its 8th Plenary Assembly 17-22 August in Taejeon, South Korea, on the theme “The Asian Family towards a Culture of Life ”. The working paper has been sent to FABC members for reflection and discussion.
Part 1 of the paper addresses the “ Pastoral Situation of the Family in Asia”, Asia’s wide variety of family traditions and values, and the serious problem of poverty among rural and urban families.
Part 2 is a theological-pastoral reflection in the light of Sacred Scripture and the Church’s Social Doctrine on the family, “Shrine of love for life, harmony and communion”; the vocation and mission of the family in the third millennium in an era of cultural globalisation and major social changes and the threat to the family also in Asia, due to ever more widespread recourse to abortion and divorce.
Part 3 addresses the subject of Recommendations for the Pastoral Care of Families which should start before and in preparation for marriage and continue through life to sustain evangelisation, ongoing religious formation, and special care for poor families. The working paper concludes with guidelines for group discussion.
The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences includes Catholic Bishops of the following countries: Bangladesh, Korea, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos-Cambodia, Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. Associated members are: Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Kirgyzstan, Macao, Mongolia, Nepal, Siberia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2004 lines 33 words 297)