This article delves deeply into the official papers of The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences' (FABC) to reveal a uniquely Asian ecclesiology. This “new way of doing church” is rooted in six predominant propositions: (1) the Asian Church is called to be a “communion of communities” that is (2) shaped by, and responds to the immense diversity and pluralism of Asia, (3) under girded by a commitment and service to life, (4) inspired by an overarching vision of harmony, (5) oriented toward a threefold dialogue with Asian cultures, religions and the poor, and (6) seeking to build the Kingdom of God in Asia.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AmaladossMichael1991“The Challenges of Mission Today.” In Trends in Mission: Toward the Third Millennium. JenkinsonWilliamO'SullivanHelene, eds. Pp. 359–397. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
2.
AmaladossMichael2000“Missionary Challenges in Asia.”Jeevadhara30: 339–350.
3.
BevansStephen1996“Inculturation of Theology in Asia (The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, 1970–1995).”Studia Missionalia45:1–23.
4.
ChiaEdmund2003Thirty Years of FABC: History, Foundation, Context, and Theology. FABC Papers No. 106. Hong Kong: FABC.
5.
EilersFranz-Josef, ed. 1997For All The Peoples of Asia: Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences Documents from 1992 to 1996. Quezon City: Claretian Publications.
6.
EilersFranz-Josef, ed. 2002For All The Peoples of Asia: Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences Documents from 1997 to 2001. Quezon City: Claretian Publications.
7.
FABC-OTC (Office of Theological Concerns)1998The Spirit and Work in Asia Today. FABC Papers No. 71. Hong Kong: FABC.
8.
FABC-TAC (Theological Advisory Commission)1987Theses on Interreligious Dialogue: An Essay in Pastoral Theological Reflection. FABC Papers No. 48. SHong Kong: FABC.
9.
FABC-TAC (Theological Advisory Commission)1991Theses on the Local Church: A Theological Reflection in the Asian Context, FABC Papers No. 60. Hong Kong: FABC.
10.
FernandesAngelo1991“Dialogue in the Context of Asian Realities.”Vidyajyoti55: 545–560.
11.
FernandoLorenzo2000“CBCI and FABC on Religious Pluralism.”Vidyajyoti64: 857–869.
12.
FoxThomas C.2002Pentecost in Asia: A New Way of Being Church. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
13.
KanjamalaAugustine1993“Redemptoris Missio and Mission in India.” In Redemption and Dialogue: Reading Redemptoris Missio and Dialogue and Proclamation. BurrowsWilliam R., ed. Pp. 195–205. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
14.
LeeJung Young1996The Trinity in Asian Perspective. Nashville: Abingdon Press.
15.
MenamparambilThomas1997“The Challenge of Cultures.” In Evangelization Among the Indigenous Peoples of Asia. FABC Papers No. 80. Hong Kong: FABC.
16.
NemetLadislav1994“Inculturation in the FABC Documents.”East Asian Pastoral Review31: 77–94.
17.
PhanPeter C.2003aReview of Introducing Theologies of Religions, by Paul F. Knitter. Horizons30: 113–117.
18.
PhanPeter C.2003bIn Our Own Tongues: Perspectives from Asia on Mission and Inculturation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
19.
RosalesGaudencioArévaloC. G., eds. 1992For All The Peoples of Asia: Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences Documents from 1970 to 1991. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
20.
WilfredFelix1988“Inculturation as a Hermeneutical Question.”Vidyajyoti52: 422–436.
21.
WilfredFelix1990“Fifth Plenary Assembly of FABC: An Interpretation of its Theological Orientation.”Vidyajyoti54: 583–592.
22.
WilfredFelix1992 “The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC): Orientations, Challenges and Impact.” In For All the Peoples of Asia: Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference Documents from 1970 to 1991. Pp. xxiii–xxx. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
