VATICAN - International Convention on 40th anniversary of Vatican II ad gentes decree: challenges and prospects for mission in Asia: Reflections by newly named Cardinal Nicholas Cheong, Archbishop of Seoul and Archbishop Oswald Gracias President of the Indian Bishops’ Conference

Saturday, 11 March 2006

Vatican City (Fides Service) - During the International Convention on 40th anniversary of Vatican II ad gentes decree organised by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples in Rome, speaking on March 10, the newly named Cardinal Archbishop Nicholas Cheong of Seoul, Korea, said “Asia is the continent of hope. On the continent where Christians are less than 3%, evangelisation is not impossible’, indeed it is a priority and a duty. It is necessary to rediscover the Asian roots of evangelisation and to present it with Asia symbols and images to show that nowhere is the Church a ‘stranger’ or ‘foreigner’ imported by colonialists”.
In Asia, said Archbishop Cheong, “dialogue is part evangelisation while the Church is called to develop a spirituality of being a minority, the condition of the prophet ”. “this task is possible” he said recalling the example of the spread of the faith in Korea: “When I was ordained a priest in 1961, Catholics in Korea were 1% of the population. Today they are 10%. This is a source of hope. We see the Christian faith taking root and bearing fruit in countries where it has never been before, Mongolia for example. The seed has been sown and it will bear fruit”.
Archbishop Cheong underlines the important role of the laity, women Catholics in Korea in particular: “Women play a major part in evangelisation and pastoral care. In Korea we have ten times more women catechists than men. Their charisma is most beneficial for the Church in Korea which is responsible for mission in east Asia, south east Asia. In this work we must cooperate with Europe first of all in the field of formation and study”.
The Church must also harness modern technology for mission: “For evangelisation in the third millennium the Internet is determinant, particularly with youth. In Korea children are taught to use a PC in primary schools. The Internet is the way to many young people. In Korea we have two priests who focus on cyber mission. This example could be followed elsewhere in Asia, and all over the world”.
Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Agra, India, President of the Indian Bishops’ Conference agrees that prospects are good for evangelisation in Asia in the third millennium and he underlines that the ad Gentes is still important today: “it helps reflect on our mission to evangelise. In India the Church runs schools, institutes, charity work, but there is a danger we forget that mission is the most important task, not humanitarian work. Ad Gentes reminds us that we must be evangelisers, at the school of dialogue, most important in the Asian context. It reminds us of the principles of dialogue which is part of mission part of evangelisations, Dialogue bring reciprocal enrichment, as the testimony of the late beloved John Paul II demonstrated”.
The Archbishop says “globalisation is a challenge and an opportunity. East-West exchange is important for mission. We will never forget the zeal and dedication of the many missionaries who brought the Gospel to Asia. We are grateful to them. They brought us the most precious gift, the faith. Today we too must become a missionary Church”.
On the other hand “in Asia there is a strong spiritual dimension which can be a gift today to counter spreading materialism and secularisation. Without religion Asia’s cultures cannot be understood”. However this can lead to religious fundamentalism as in India, where Hindu extremists engage in violence: “Fundamentalism exists in various areas. Some times it is the result of social-economic difficulties, other times a weapon used by political parties to win popularity and Christians in India are an easy target. In general however Indians love peace, tolerance, harmony. This is very positive and dialogue is making progress. Christians can take the lead in dialogue”.
In conclusion the Archbishop of Agra said “for mission in India and all over Asia what is essential is the motivation of missionaries, religious and lay, and inculturation, the Church must not be viewed as a stranger. But central remains our faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit”. (P.A.) (Agenzia Fides 11/3/2006 righe 54 parole 735)


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