Request for Prayers for the FABC 50 General Conference

To the Catholics of Japan:
　

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) was established in 1970 as an association of bishops’ conferences throughout Asia. For more than 50 years it has conducted research and educational activities embodying the collaborative nature of pastoral care by bishops in Asia. The FABC fosters collaboration for evangelization and explores uniquely Asian ways for the Church to fulfill its vocation.

A general gathering to commemorate the FABC’s 50th anniversary is being held October 12-30 at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Bangkok after being delayed two years due to the Covid pandemic.

The theme of the meeting is FABC 50: Journeying together as peoples of Asia “…and they went a different way” (Mt 2:12). It will be a chance to discern the Lord’s call to the Churches in various parts of Asia, looking back on past activities and at the current situation. It is an opportunity to review the situation of the FABC today for an outlook for future institutional reform.

For this reason, the number of participants will be expanded from the usual. Where normally there would be about two bishops from each country or region, from Japan, for example, six bishops including Cardinal Maeda and myself, will participate. In addition, during the conference we will provide opportunities hear the voices of the laity using the Internet including voices from Japan. The Pope has sent Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as his special envoy who will preside over the closing Mass.

During the conference, responsibility for morning prayers each day is allocated to each participating country or region using prepared video prayers. The Organizing Committee has expressed the hope that on the day a country or region is responsible for the prayers that the entire Church in that country or region, not just the bishops, will offer prayers.

Japan will lead the morning prayer on Tuesday, October 25. I hope you will take time during that day to pray for the bishops, for the FABC, and for the Churches in Asia. I would also be grateful if you could pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the bishops during the General Conference.