Sister Ansila Returns to Timor Leste Early to Meet, with Project HIC SUM Volunteers, Pope Francis
Pope will give new impetus to Churches in Asia, alive amid challenges
Ahead of the Pope’s September trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, the president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences offers an insider’s look at the significance of the upcoming visit, “The Holy Father will be able to touch upon the dynamic diversity of the Asian Churches and the steadfast faith of its people.” Important theme of creation care: “The devastating effects of climate change in Asia”
“Many of our churches are full during Sunday Masses. Many of the Asians who migrate to other countries keep their faith alive.” In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican media, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, archbishop of Yangon (Myanmar) and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), sketches a portrait of the faithful from Asia and Oceania whom Pope Francis will meet during his apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. The trip is scheduled for Sept. 2-13 and marks Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s 45th international apostolic journey, one of many to Asia during his pontificate. Cardinal Bo speaks of a vibrant and diverse Church that, despite political, economic, social, environmental and cultural challenges and the fact that “it is not always easy to live the Christian faith in some parts of Asia,” “continues not only to be alive but also dynamic in different ways.”
Pope Francis is about to make his 45th apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania. How do you assess the importance of this visit?
Many people in Asia only hear about the Pope and “see” him with the help of digital media. But, for the general population, the Pope is a somewhat “distant” figure. Therefore, the Pope’s coming to Asia not only excites, but also arouses a renewed zeal and sense of faith, because it shows that Asian peoples are not far from the Pope’s mind and heart. What is most encouraging is that Pope Francis chose to visit smaller countries, little known to the world, such as Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste, thus creating an opportunity for the world to learn about the Churches in these lands.
Deborah Castellano Lubov – Città del Vaticano
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