Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - The programme has been released for the First Asian Mission Congress organised by the Office for Evangelisation of the FABC Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences with the support of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and the Pontifical Mission Societies and in collaboration with the Catholic Church in Thailand. The Congress will be held in Chiang Mai, in Thailand, 18 to 22 October on the theme: “The story of Jesus in Asia: a celebration of faith and life”.
At least 1,000 participants mostly from Asia but also from other continents are expected to take part in this important opportunity to reflect on mission in Asia. The Congress is open to delegates from Bishops’ Conferences, guests including prominent members of other Christian confessions and other religions, and observers, people interested in the theme of mission, experts, students, religious and lay people.
After the welcoming evening on 18 October the Congress will open with a solemn concelebration of Mass on 19 October presided by Cardinal Ivan Dias Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples in the presence of all the participants and also the Nuncio to Thailand Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio.
The opening talks will be given by Cardinal Michai Kitbunchu, Archbishop of Bangkok, and FABC secretary general Archbishop Orlando Quevedo OMI of Cotabato, Philippines. The first conference on the Congress theme by Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle will be followed by testimony from religious and lay people.
On 20 October the participants will reflect the Story of Jesus in the Religions of Asia with the help of theology Prof. Prosper Grech, who will speak about the mission of the Church in Asia. The day will close with the recitation of the Rosary and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The theme for reflection on the third day 21 October will be the Story of Jesus in the Cultures of Asia, to share experiences of Jesus Christ as the source reconciliation in areas of communal conflict; experiences of dialogue of life and action. A special commission will draft a final message to be approved by the participants.
On 22 October, World Mission Sunday, after the final ceremonies the closing Mass will be presided by the Archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, appointed by Benedict XVI his special envoy to the 1st Asian Mission Congress. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/9/2006 Righe: 229 Parole:
