As bishops from across Asia prepare to gather for the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Malaysian Archbishop Simon Poh, chairman of the FABC Office of Evangelization (FABC-OE), has called Catholics across the continent to become “neighbors of hope” by sharing the compassion, mercy, and healing of Christ in a diverse and multicultural Asia.
By RVA News | July 13, 2026
In his message ahead of the July 20–26 assembly, Archbishop Poh reflected on Asia as a continent shaped by diverse cultures, ethnic communities, and religious traditions. He noted that followers of different faiths have lived side by side for centuries, even as the region has also experienced conflicts, colonization, and divisions.
Despite these challenges, he said, Asian societies continue to express a strong desire for peaceful coexistence, harmony, and mutual respect among communities.
The archbishop said the upcoming FABC Plenary Assembly carries forward the spirit of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Jakarta in September 2025, during which the pope called the Church to strengthen fraternity, dialogue, and solidarity among peoples of different backgrounds.
“Through this FABC Assembly, the mission begun by Pope Francis continues for the Church to be bridge-builders between people of all faiths, cultures, and nationalities in Asia,” Archbishop Poh said.
From the perspective of evangelization, he emphasized that the Church’s mission is not only to proclaim the Gospel but also to bring Christ’s compassion, mercy, reconciliation, and healing into society. The FABC Office of Evangelization seeks to encourage Catholics across Asia to share the Good News through a way of life rooted in friendship and accompaniment, reaching out “one neighbor at a time,” he said.
Reflecting on the parable of the Good Samaritan, Archbishop Poh said Christians are called to become good neighbors who bring God’s compassion to those around them, especially people experiencing suffering, injustice, and exclusion.
He also highlighted the FABC-OE Mission Congress, “The Great Pilgrimage of Hope,” held in Penang, Malaysia, in November 2025, which explored an Asian approach to witnessing the Gospel through dialogue, relationships, and compassionate presence.
“Being born in Bethlehem, which is in Asia Minor, Jesus is truly an Asian,” Archbishop Poh said, recalling that Jesus shared God’s love through stories, humble encounters, healing, and forgiveness.
Looking ahead, he said the FABC Office of Evangelization will continue responding to Pope Francis’ call in Evangelii Gaudium to reach the peripheries. Together with the FABC Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (FABC-OEIA) and the FABC Office of Theological Concerns (FABC-OTC), the office will organize a conference on “Gospel and Indigenous Living Traditions” at the Camillian Pastoral Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 2–5, 2026, gathering bishops, priests, and lay leaders from across Asia.
The initiative aims to amplify Indigenous voices, build bridges between the Gospel and Indigenous cultures, and learn from communities that have long practiced sustainable ways of caring for ancestral lands amid the challenges of climate change.
Archbishop Poh said the Church’s hope is that the compassion, reconciliation, and healing love of Christ may become visible through the lives of Catholics and Church leaders across Asia, contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious society.
 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Malaysian Archbishop Simon Poh, chairman of the FABC Office of Evangelization (FABC-OE)){kind=link}