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ASIA UCAN Document - 'Orientations And Priorities' of Asian Mission Congress
Posted: 24th October 2006
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CHIANG MAI, Thailand (UCAN) - For the 1,000 or so people who took part in the recently concluded Asian Mission Congress (AMC), the challenge of mission was just starting as the historic event drew to a close on Oct. 22.
On that closing day, the participants recommended that they work to deepen their understanding of Jesus, and the joys and struggles of being Christian.
The theme of the Oct. 18-22 congress in Chiang Mai, 700 kilometers north of Bangkok, was "The Story of Jesus in Asia - A Celebration of Faith and Life."
India's Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi, chairman of the Office of Evangelization of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, read out the AMC's summary "Orientations and Priorities" during the closing ceremonies.
In that document, the participants made a pledge to focus on specific priorities so as to make the story of Jesus come more alive in Asia. Suggested directions include enriching their own knowledge of the Gospel and nurturing spiritual growth through prayer and the Eucharist.
The participants also resolved to acquaint themselves with other religious traditions, and to develop "attitudes of understanding and respect towards other religions" in their educational and formation institutes.
The "Orientations and Priorities" text also notes the need to form families that "grow in openness and a humble attitude to the mystery of God at work in other religions," and to engage and prepare laity, young people, migrants and other marginalized people in the Church's mission and evangelization.
The participants appealed to episcopal conferences to organize national and regional mission congresses so as to "promote a renewed sense of mission of TELLING THE STORY OF JESUS in an Asian way to the peoples of Asia."
The full text of the document follows:
Orientations and Priorities
Asian Mission Congress
October 18-22, 2006
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Moved by the experience of the First Asian Mission Congress, we the participants have identified the following important areas of concern which we consider as priorities for our missionary task in Asia, and we commit ourselves to implement them:
The Story of Jesus in Our life
We will make the story of Jesus come alive through our personal encounter with the Risen Lord through:
A deeper study and living of the Word of God in such a way that the power of Jesus' story transforms our life
Cultivating a habit of recognizing the story of Jesus in one's own personal life, in all our experiences, particularly in our struggles and pains, joys and sorrows
Making the celebrations of the community, especially the Eucharist, as powerful moments of encounter in which the story of Jesus comes alive through the symbols used in the liturgy (the breaking of the Bread, etc.)
Fostering the attitudes and values of humility and openness before the mystery of God at work in the peoples of Asia especially in those who suffer, such as the poor, the marginalized, migrant workers, the sick, women and children
Promoting the participation of the laity, especially the youth who are the future of the Church in Asia
Proclaiming Jesus especially through witness as the distinguishing mark of our missionary identity
Living and promoting a spirituality of the dialogue of life with the peoples of Asia
Learning to recognize the presence of the story of Jesus in the stories of trauma, exclusion, sufferings and poverty as well as in their other varied experiences of life
Learning the art of eagerly awaiting the opportune moment to share Jesus' story as God's gift for the fullness of life
The Story of Jesus in Peoples of Other Faiths
We will:
Recognize our ignorance and prejudice (individual and collective) by taking concrete steps to acquaint ourselves with other religious traditions
Develop in our educational and formation institutes, especially in our seminaries, such positive attitudes of understanding and respect towards other religions
Form families to grow in openness and a humble attitude to the mystery of God at work in other religions
Make similar efforts to remove misunderstanding and prejudice from the people of other faiths in regard to the Christian faith and practices
Offer more effective pastoral care for those in mixed marriages and other interreligious situations
The Story of Jesus in the Cultures of Asia
We will:
Integrate positive cultural values of Asia as mentioned in Ecclesia in Asia into our Christian living - at personal and collective levels -all the more so when such values are being eroded by consumerism, materialism and other forces with the support of the media and the market
Promote a culture of service, compassion, disciplined life, meditation, silence, simplicity, reconciliation and harmony
Take concrete steps to integrate local festivals and cultural forms of expression such as dance and music, art and architecture
Introduce with proper catechesis inculturation at all levels of our life so that we can effectively present the Asian face of Jesus to our sisters and brothers in Asia
Follow-up
We appeal to each Episcopal conference to organize national/regional Mission Congresses in such way as to effectively promote a renewed sense of mission of TELLING THE STORY OF JESUS in an Asian way to the peoples of Asia. We hope that the above measure, among others, will revitalize our missionary dynamism with sense urgency and with a spirit of enthusiasm and joy.
For He is indeed risen and alive in Asia!
Article Source: UCANEWS
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