A special event for Ecclesia in Asia (the Church in Asia) was held from 12-30 October 2022 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of foundation of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. The theme of the encounter was: “And they took another way” (Mt. 2:12).
17 cardinals, 125 archbishops and bishops, 25 priests, 6 women religious and about 25 lay people representing youth institutions, social institutions, support staff, Vatican dicasteries and media teams all took part in the event.
At the invitation of Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Bishops’ Conference of India, and Fr. William LaRousse, assistant secretary general of the FABC, Sr. Joeyanna D’Souza, of the Indian Province of the Daughters of St. Paul, also attended the 19-day program, which took place in Bangkok Thailand.
Sr. Joeyanna was assigned to the team of women religious from 19 Asian countries that prepared the prayer video introducing each daily session. Daughters of St. Paul from the Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan and India also collaborated with this service. In addition, as a member of the Liturgy committee, Sr. Joeyanna helped to coordinate the daily Eucharistic celebrations.
Sr Bernadette Reis, fsp, representing the Vatican News Service, was present to cover this important event for the Vatican media.
The final message of the Bishops’ Federation to the peoples of Asia is available online via the FABC2020 YouTube channel.
