Asian Bishops discuss Eucharist's relevance amid war, poverty

(August 13, 2009) Asian bishops discussed the prospects and challenges of living the Eucharist in their countries on the second day of meetings at the 9th FABC Plenary Assembly in Manila. Seventeen bishops' conference heads and two associate members of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) on August 12 discussed the working paper of the August 11-16 assembly, presently taking place at Pius XII Catholic Centre. Titled after the assembly's theme, "Living the Eucharist in Asia," the paper was presented to them the previous afternoon by its author, theologian Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus, the Philippines. A committee has been tasked to draft a final document, incorporating the inputs of participants. During the discussion session, the Church leaders spoke about the situations in their countries and how the Eucharist was considered the "source and summit" of the life of their Churches. For Archbishop Paulinus Costa of Dhaka, the Eucharist in Bangladesh is a reflection of his people's need for "daily bread" and the Christian belief in sharing wealth with the poor. Several bishops stressed the value of inculturated Eucharistic celebrations."Attempts must be made to use Asian culture and symbols related to the Eucharist," said Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Bombay, India. "The Eucharist is meant to transform Catholics," the Indian bishop said. He, also acknowledged the need to address, through the Eucharist, the call for a Church response to poverty and other issues, such as equal rights for women. Korean Bishop Peter Kang U-il of Cheju suggested providing concrete examples of "living the Eucharist in Asia." If not, the bishop warned, the meeting's final statement could end up as just another Church document read by a few and then forgotten. He believes Sunday Mass can be more meaningful if small "communities of believers" gather ahead of Mass to read and meditate on Scripture. He cited the practice of Jewish families who gather on the eve of the Sabbath to prepare for religious ceremonies the next day. He also suggested the Eucharist could be used for people to reflect on the continuing "arms buildup" in Asia. The Eucharist, he said, is about unity and peace, and noted that nations are increasingly preparing for war. Sri Lankan Bishop Vianney Fernando of Kandy said people in his country are tired after decades of civil war. They need the Eucharist to help bring about reconciliation, trust and forgiveness, he said. While Catholics remain loyal to the Church, he added, there is a need for them to reach out to other faiths. He stressed that there is a need to emphasize the "Word of God" because people are hungry for Christ's message. Bishops from Indonesia, Laos and Myanmar said their people's "hunger" for the Eucharist is difficult to satisfy because of a lack of priests and catechesis. In many places in these countries, where Masses are held irregularly, Catholics celebrate a Liturgy of the Word conducted by catechists or lay ministers. In Laos and Cambodia there are only about 60 priests to cover vast areas, said Church leaders from these countries. Catechetical work is also sporadic in Laos because of the Communist regime, they added. Thai Bishop George Yod Phimphisan of Udon Thani said the use of some Thai and Buddhist symbols also makes the Eucharist more understandable to Thai people, who are mostly Buddhist. The FABC is a voluntary association of Episcopal conferences in Asia, established in the 1970s to foster among its members solidarity and co-responsibility for the welfare of Church and society in Asia.