Today, Cardinals, Bishops, priests, religious and colleagues of FABC gather here to recall a memorable event when 180 bishops met in Manila, Philippines, in 1970, which is taken as the birth of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).
From Manila to Thailand, 50 years has passed. The Churches in Asia walk and grow side by side in the midst of a rapidly changing society.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand is joyful and happy to welcome all Cardinals bishops and participants to this general conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. It is also very proud to be part of this important event.
This general conference will be an important opportunity for the Churches in Asia to review and renew the Church in Asia to herself be lively with inspiration from the Gospel by St. Mathew that we walk together as the peoples of Asia “and they went a different way.” (Mt. 2:12)
It is the most amazing journey of the wise men who traveled the wilderness with suffering and pain. At last, they have met the Holy Infant, bringing them great joy. And they departed to their own country in another way.
Being conscious in a spiritual dimension, everyone who came to meet Jesus for salvation from Him will discover the new way and will never return to walk the same way again.
Finally, the Church in Asia has discovered the new way of service and taking the journey together as the peoples of Asia proclaiming the Good News of Jesus that brings salvation to all of us.
May the Holy Spirit be with us all in this General Conference so that it will bear great fruitful success in the future according to the Will of God. Sawasdee Krab!
Message of Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisut, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand at the opening of the general conference of FABC on Oct. 12,2022.
