"Religious fundamentalism is the greatest danger":Asian Bishops

(September 29, 2011) The phenomenon of secularization and the growth of religious fundamentalism are "the two greatest challenges of evangelization in Asia", says Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, India and President of the Evangelization office in the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). The Archbishop pointed out that Bishops, theologians, and experts will hold a meeting at FABC office in Bangkok, on the theme "Evangelization in Asia, in the context of secularism and fundamentalism". There is no doubt that secularization "is felt also in Asia, especially among young people or families", said the Archbishop, noting that "fundamentalism flourishes on secularization, which exploits the emotions and needs of people". He added that in Asia, the greatest danger is precisely religious fundamentalism: on the one hand, Pentecostalism, which attracts and takes away the Catholic faithful from the Church; on the other hand Islamic fundamentalism, which disturbs social and religious harmony. To this phenomenon the Church "cannot respond with an aggressive approach" but "investigating and understanding the social and psychological reasons which make them bloom." The Asian Bishops will study the modalities and appropriate responses: "We object to secularization by helping to build secular values universally valid; the answer to fundamentalism is, however, authentic religion".