By Oliver Samson
JAKARTA — The 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) aims to move beyond discussion and provide practical guidance for implementing synodality across Asia, according to Bishop Marcelino Antonio “Junie” Maralit Jr. of the Philippines.
More than 120 cardinals and bishops from across the continent have gathered in Jakarta from July 20 to 26 for the weeklong assembly, held under the theme, “The Call to Synodal Conversion and the Mission to Be Bridges and Bridge-Builders in Asia.”
Speaking at the opening press conference on July 20, Bishop Junie, the assembly’s official spokesperson, said the gathering is “more than a meeting of bishops.”
“It is a significant moment for the Church in Asia to pray together, listen to one another, discern the signs of the times, and seek new ways of proclaiming the Gospel in one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse regions,” he said.
Bishop Junie said the assembly comes at a pivotal moment in the Church’s journey, following the FABC 50 General Conference, the 2023 Bangkok Document, the 2024 Final Document of the Synod on Synodality, the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, and the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.
He stressed that the week is designed to be “a genuine synodal experience,” centered on prayer, listening, and communal discernment rather than simply discussing synodality as a concept.
Participants will take part in Eucharistic celebrations, spiritual reflection, Conversations in the Spirit, regional sessions, and table discussions. Their discernment will focus on how the Church can deepen synodal conversion while becoming a bridge-builder in a continent marked by cultural and religious diversity, poverty, migration, conflict, environmental challenges, and rapid social change.
A key outcome of the assembly, Bishop Junie said, will be the preparation of two major documents. The first is a Final Document envisioned as a practical Vademecum on Synodality in Asia to guide local Churches in implementing the synodal process. The second is a Message to the Church in Asia encouraging Catholics throughout the region to continue the journey of synodal renewal.
Among the major events of the assembly are the participation of Cardinal Oswald Gracias as the special envoy of Pope Leo XIV, a day of recollection led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a keynote address by Cardinal Mario Grech on implementing the Synod on Synodality, and a video message from Pope Leo XIV.
The assembly will conclude with a Eucharistic celebration at Jakarta’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, followed by a visit to the neighboring Istiqlal Mosque. Participants will walk through th Friendship Tunnel, linking the cathedral and mosque as a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to interreligious harmony and the assembly’s call for the Church to become a bridge-builder in Asia.
“We hope this gathering will strengthen the Church’s witness to communion, participation, and mission, while inspiring Catholics across Asia to become bridges and bridge-builders within their families, communities, nations, and among people of different cultures and religions,” Bishop Junie said.
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