Dialogue is essential for peaceful coexistence

Q - Fr CD: Holy Father, what message would you like to share with the churches in Asia to encourage synodal conversion?

A - Pope Leo:

“The first thing that comes to mind, is that I will like to say thank you to the church in Asia. Because if any one will have a challenge because of language, cultural differences and geographical distance, poverty and many other realities that you face. 

To have worked as hard as you have and come where you are today in living this process not only of synodality but promoting communion and conversion, I think we all should say thank you and congratulations to you. 

Dialogue you said is essential for peaceful coexistence. And I think because of the many inter-religious realities which are so widespread, Christianity being a minority in Asia and to face the challenges that come along in terms of living the faith and being disciples of Jesus Christ including in places where there is oppression and where it is difficult to live the faith. 

I think there are many things that all of us need to bow down to and to respect the holy ground that Asia is for us, the present and future of the church. 

There is a sense of mystery and understand of divine which I think is part of many of the religions in Asia that opens the doors to different kinds of inter-religious dialogues. And I think is a treasure for the whole church, eastern and western. I also believe is something that is valued by so many cultures in Asia that we also could learn from. 

And because of that when we talk about the spirit of synodality and conversation in the spirit, a mystical or contemplative element to that, perhaps we could continue to discover and I won’t say understand, as it goes far beyond understanding but contact with the divine that we can all learn from in Asia. 

There are of course great challenges. The structural, economical realities that you deal with and the difficulty of even promoting communications on a widespread level because of the limitation of the local churches, are realities that we too need to share. 

I think that this kind of experience of a synodal church, of building communion, needs to inspire in all of us if you will a greater generosity in sharing of resources so that we can have perhaps greater equality, greater justice even in terms of the goods and blessings that some many churches have could be shared with others. Obviously there are great challenges in doing that, there are great efforts being made, should be recognised, it’s an ongoing process.

But I think again the people of Asia can offer much hope. And I hope that all of us together can be a hope for the church in Asia. With that I simple express gratitude and great reverence for those who are walking together for the church in Asia.”