Cardinal Tagle Calls for Promoting Common Love for Humanity

Bangalore, December 13, 2024: The Church in Asia must champion a shared love for humanity, urged Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation. Cardinal Tagle delivered this message during his virtual inaugural address at the International Symposium commemorating the 25th anniversary of Ecclesia in Asia, held in Bangalore on December 13-14.

In his address, Cardinal Tagle highlighted the Church’s mission to foster communion, dialogue with cultures, and human development. “The Church must express the message of Jesus in ways relevant to our times,” he said, emphasizing the need for a synodal and missionary approach in Asia.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI, also addressed the gathering virtually, stressing the importance of dialogue and fraternity in strengthening bonds within the Church. He called for a compassionate approach to these efforts.

Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore presided over the symposium’s inaugural session, which began with a welcome by Bishop Ambrose Pitchaimuthu of Vellore, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in India.

Other notable speakers included Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI; Rev. Fr. Jesudoss Rajamanickam, Director of St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences; and Rev. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, National Coordinator for Synod India and Jubilee 2025.

The International Symposium commemorating the 25th anniversary of Ecclesia in Asia brought together Church leaders, theologians, and faithful to reflect on the evolving mission of the Church in Asia. The two-day event, themed “Towards a Fully Synodal and Missionary Church in Asia: Re-Reading Ecclesia in Asia for the Jubilee Year,” featured insightful addresses and discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing the Church in the region.

Rev. Dr. Anh Nhue Nguyen, Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU), delivered the keynote address, offering profound theological insights into the Church’s mission. He emphasized the need for renewed engagement with Asia’s diverse cultures and societies, highlighting the importance of adapting the Church’s message to contemporary realities.

The symposium, held both in-person and online, drew 152 physical attendees and over 300 virtual participants, underscoring the global interest in the Church’s mission in Asia.

The event featured a series of thought-provoking presentations by distinguished speakers: Renewing God’s Mission in Asia: Dr. Clarence Devadass from Malaysia explored the journey of missionary discipleship and synodality in the third millennium, reflecting on the Asian Church’s unique challenges.

The Synodal Family: Bishop Lawrence Pius Dorairaj of Dharmapuri presented the family as a model for fostering synodality within the Church and society.

Missionaries of Hope: Bishop Alex Vadakumthala of Kannur delved into the rediscovery of mission as a beacon of hope, especially in the context of the upcoming Jubilee Year.

Evangelization in the Digital Age: Fr. Charles Vijay Kumar C.Ss.R from Catholic Connect addressed the Church’s strategies for evangelization in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and digital media.

Human Dignity and Social Justice: Fr. Dr. J. Charles Davis of St. John’s Research Institute in India provided a synodal perspective on promoting dignity and justice in Asia’s socio-political landscape.

The symposium was a joint initiative of the Pontifical Missionary Union, Pontifical Mission Organizations India, the CCBI Jubilee 2025 Desk, the CCBI Commission for Proclamation, and the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine.

By Joicy Pinto