JAKARTA (SE): The 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [FABC] came to a close on July 26 with a Eucharistic celebration at Jakarta’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption presided over by Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo, archbishop of Jakarta, and concelebrated by Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, president of the FABC, along with bishops and priests from across Asia.
During his homily, Cardinal Ferrão emphasised that the Church’s future rests on remaining anchored in its spiritual heritage, while simultaneously embracing renewal through synodality.
He urged the Church to bridge generational divides by uniting the wisdom of the elderly with the creativity of the youth. He added that every pastoral decision should be evaluated on whether it encourages communion, strengthens participation and mission, advances peace, and serves the poor and marginalised.
Final message of the 12th FABC Plenary Assembly
The liturgy ended with the promulgation of the assembly’s Message to the Peoples of Asia, entitled “You Will See Greater Things” [John 1:50]. Signed by Cardinal Ferrão and proclaimed by Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, chairperson of the drafting committee, which included Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., of Hong Kong, the message urges the Church in Asia to deepen its synodal journey by becoming “bridges and bridge-builders” of dialogue, reconciliation, hope, and peace throughout the continent.
After Mass, delegates made a symbolic pilgrimage through Jakarta’s Tunnel of Friendship, which connects the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption with the neighbouring Istiqlal Mosque—the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.
