Smile from the heart, Cardinal Bo tells the Asian Church

Penang, Malysia 28 November 2025: “Smile to others from the heart. It is the beginning of sharing the story of Jesus.” With this simple message, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, SDB, Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, and former President of the FABC, gave his homily on the second day of the FABC Congress on the Great Pilgrimage of Hope in Penang, Malaysia.

He said a true smile comes only from those who carry Jesus in their lives. “Smile to the storms and problems in your life. Smile to the mighty political powers of Asia. Only those who have Jesus can smile from the heart,” he said.

Cardinal Bo reminded the delegates that the Church in Asia must always stand with the poor and the young. Asia, he noted, has more poor people than any other continent. At the same time, it is a young continent, and the Church must focus on its youth, who shape the future of Asia and the Church.

The keynote address on the theme “Journeying Together as Peoples of Asia” was given by Archbishop Simon Poh, Archbishop of Kuching, Malaysia, and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia. He is the chairman-designate for the FABC Office for Evangelization. After the keynote address the participants were engaged in conversation in the Spirit, a methodology to discernment by listening to the Holy Spirit.

Throughout the day, seven impact sessions explored different dimensions of the Church’s mission in Asia. These included reflections on the relevance of digital media and artificial intelligence in evangelization by Nicholas Lim from Singapore, and a presentation on Alpha for Youth as a tool for sharing the Gospel by Elizabeth Lopez and Huw Warmenhoven from Australia. 

Another session focused on how Christians can live their faith in pluralistic communities, led by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil SDB from India, Cardinal Giorgio Marengo IMC from Mongolia, and Fr Anthony Corcoran from Kyrgyzstan. Rev Msgr Indunil J. Kodithuwakku, Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Inter-Religious Dialogue, spoke on Christian ideas of peace, reconciliation and resilience in Asia’s multi-religious context. 

Bishop Gerardo A. Alminaza from the Philippines explored integral ecology in the light of Laudato Si. Dr Beena Manoj from India reflected on the feminine genius as an expression of God’s love and life. Fr Clarence Davadass from Malaysia shared insights on taking the Church forward in the synodal way.

The day included two more reflections. His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and Metropolitan Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, spoke about the call for a renewed encounter. Colin Calmiano, Founder-Director of Spread Your Wings, offered his thoughts on reconciliation.

In the evening, delegates from different countries presented cultural performances. The twenty-five youth delegates of the CCBI, led by Sr Margarita Dias, offered a colourful performance that highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage and traditions.

The Asian Congress, organised by the FABC Office for Evangelization, is being held under the theme The Great Pilgrimage of Hope: “Journeying together as peoples of Asia…and they went a different way,” drawn from the Gospel of Matthew. 

A total of 773 delegates from across Asia are taking part in the gathering. India is represented by 76 delegates of the CCBI under the leadership of Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI and President of the FABC.

By Catholic Connect Reporter