Final message of the 12th FABC Plenary Assembly
JAKARTA (SE): The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [FABC] concluded its 12th Plenary Assembly on July 26 by promulgating its “Message to the Peoples of Asia”, urging the Church in Asia to deepen its synodal journey by becoming “bridges and bridge-builders” in societies marked by division, inequality, and rapid change. Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., of Hong Kong served on the committee that drafted the message.
Entitled “You Will See Greater Things” [John 1:50], the message was promulgated at the conclusion of the closing Eucharistic celebration at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Jakarta on July 26 and signed by Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and President of the FABC, on behalf of the plenary members.
The message reflects the spiritual fruits of the week-long assembly, which brought together bishops, delegates, partners, and friends from across Asia and beyond under the theme “Synodal Conversion and the Mission to Be Bridges and Bridge-Builders in Asia.”
Addressed to “all peoples of goodwill in Asia,” the message emphasises that synodality is “not merely a method of working together” but “a path of conversion directed toward mission.” It says genuine renewal begins with transformed hearts and relationships before it reaches Church structures and institutions.
Final message of the 12th FABC Plenary Assembly
Reflecting on several days of prayer, listening, silence, and Conversations in the Spirit, the bishops reported reaching a broad consensus. They agreed that the Church in Asia is called to build bridges by embracing the continent’s rich cultural, religious, and social diversity through ongoing synodal conversion.
The assembly’s message identified numerous challenges currently facing Asia, such as polarisation, weakening global institutions, migration, ecological degradation, widening social and economic inequalities, shrinking democratic spaces, and rapid technological development.
Rather than viewing these realities solely as obstacles, the bishops described them during the event as opportunities for renewed missionary witness. They emphasised education, interreligious dialogue, hospitality, care for creation, and a stronger commitment to human dignity and solidarity.
The bishops also acknowledged clericalism as a persistent internal challenge that weakens communion, participation, and co-responsibility within the Church. In their message, they called for ongoing pastoral and synodal conversion, marked by listening, shared discernment, and servant leadership.
A central image presented in the message was Christ as the “living Bridge” between God and humanity, and among peoples. The bishops stated that following Christ means becoming bridge-builders in every local context.
