ASIA - Asian Bishops in Holy Land to "return to the sources" in the Year of Faith

Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) - Returning to the sources and thinking about evangelization again, with a pilgrimage to Holy Land in the Year of Faith: with this spirit 120 Asian Bishops experienced, from November 6 to 12, a pilgrimage called "Asian Bishops convivence." Organized by the Neocatechumenal Way, which brought together in the "Domus Galileae" on the Mount of Beatitudes, about 70 Bishops from India and 50 other countries such as Mynmar, Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China and other Asian countries. It was also attended by some priests, religious and laity, who accompanied the Pastors on a journey which "was a profound experience of community, brotherhood, sharing of the Word of God and the living experience of each of us," says to Fides His Exc. Mgr. John Barwa, Indian Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, who has just returned to India.
The pilgrimage "strengthens the links between the Pastors of the Asian Church," says the Archbishop, a very important factor in the Year of Faith and to put emphasis on the urgency of the "new evangelization" in Asia. The event was a useful reflection on the eve of the Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, to be held in Vietnam in December, on the theme of challenges to evangelization in Asia. In Holy Land the Bishops questioned themselves on "how to convey to the peoples and cultures of Asia the gift of Truth and bring the joy of preaching Salvation and Resurrection of Jesus Christ", asking the Holy Spirit "light to find new ways to proclaim the Gospel in our time."
"The ultimate meaning of the pilgrimage and what can be brought to our diocese - concluded the Archbishop - is a method and a concrete experience to proclaim and live the Word of God." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/11/2012)