Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Singapore (Agenzia Fides) - “Saint Francis Xavier came as a missionary from Europe to bring the Gospel to the Far East. Today we must go as missionaries from East to West to re-evangelise Europe” says Franciscan Friar Anthony Cho in Singapore who is ready for mission in the ‘old continent’.
Friar Anthony witnessed the phenomenon of growing secularism while he was studying theology in Britain and Canada. “In Europe there is much work to be done. As Pope Benedict XVI says what is needed is a vast operation of new evangelisation. Vocations are decreasing and churches are empty. We Asians received the treasure of the Good News of Christ from Europe, and today we are called to return the favour, helping the European Churches in this task”, the Franciscan said.
Friar Anthony also studied in India and admired the “vibrant liturgies with song and dance, inspired by intense prayer. This is the spirit we must help to create in western Churches, involving the young people, speaking to their heart”. In other words “in contact with extremely poor people in India - he continued - I realised what it means to build the Kingdom of God. Seeing their life made of simple and essential things, I saw clearly that we are misled by consumerism and materialism, and our eyes are no longer focussed on God. Today we must rediscover the contemplative dimension of life and help the people of Europe put Christ back at the centre of their culture and their daily life”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/9/2006 Righe: 27 Parole: 272)
