By Caritas Malaysia
SIBU — The 3rd Caritas Malaysia National Assembly with the theme Union of Minds and Hearts united the members of Caritas of nine dioceses of Malaysia on 12–16 November 2023. Caritas National Director, Fr Fabian Dicom conducted the assembly for the members of Caritas Malaysia with two days of recollection and two days of business day.
The first two days of recollection led by Fr Alvin Ng, SJ, focussed on three major aspects which were Sanctity, Synodality, and Solidarity. Fr Alvin emphasised that ministering is a vital part of the Church and the interior identity we carry as a member of Caritas is the essence.
The recollection sessions allowed the attendees to have moments of silence to reflect and evaluate on what it is like to serve from within and to understand the importance of spirituality in ministering. Each part of the recollection brought the members of Caritas on a reflective journey to see how our spirituality balances between being and doing which is being Mary and doing like Martha.
Fr Alvin enlightened the attendees on Sanctity and the holiness we have to carry from within as our Father is Holy. He then reminded that sanctity is a part of our identity as children of God and with great acceptance of the identity, we gracefully serve the Lord.
The next session of recollection was Synodality which is a big part of the Church; Anna Teresa Peter Amandus, a representative from the diocese of Sandakan who attended the Synod in Rome shared the synod journey experience that gave a different perspective of synod on a bigger level. The Road to Emmaus journey was an example Fr Alvin spoke about, to the attendees on how we can perceive our ministries to see who are we following, who’s following us, who’s at the front or at the back or who needs a hand to be pulled from falling to the back.
Like the Road to Emmaus, Caritas Malaysia is a journey of nine dioceses; the synodality among the representatives would set a paradigm for those who are looking forward to serving in the ministry. Being synodal assures us that we are a community of Church that prioritises love and compassion that sets a way forward and simultaneously lifts up along those around us.
Solidarity was another significant part of the recollection; the embracement of different identities and to make ministries as a common ground that unites people of God, should be a focus of the Church. Despite the differences and diversity, the purpose of God for us should be a uniting point in standing up together and continuing to serve out of love alone.
Every session of the recollection had a spiritual conversation part where the attendees were given two reflective questions to have a conversation among their designated group. Spiritual conversation holds its own uniqueness where it makes everyone in the group to think about what to speak exactly and to listen attentively to each other. Through these spiritual conversations, everyone had the chance to express their perspectives and to understand others’ opinions as well that showed the unity of minds.
At the end of the conversations of every session, Caritas representatives were gradually getting the idea of what it is like to do the work of Christ while listening to Him. Spiritual Conversations gave the opportunity for everyone to speak in spirit and more than of their own understanding. There lies the beauty of spiritual conversation where we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us to understand. Many shared how they could understand themselves by listening to others speaking; it was more clear and was a chance to reflect on their own understanding they mentioned.
Each session of the recollection makes space for silent reflection and spiritual sharing among the attendees which by the end of the recollection everyone had a comprehensive understanding on how spirituality moves each and every one in ministry.
Fr Alvin shared that finding the purpose God has for us from within would guide our path to move forward and to not just merely serve at Church but to serve the Lord with the exact love and compassion He has for us.
Moving forward from the two days of recollection, Fr Fabian invited Mr Josef Benedict, Asia-Pacific Civic Space Researcher at CIVICUS to speak about advocacy. The session on advocacy was very helpful and enlightening as Mr Josef spoke about the importance of knowing the proper way of advocacy; as Caritas at parish levels and Diocesan levels are assisting in multiple cases, hence, advocacy knowledge would help the members and volunteers to make the right move.
Mr Josef conducted a workshop for the participants to have a better understanding on how to map out cases in the right way. Example situations were given to participants for discussions; participants divided into groups to analyse how to advocate for the issue given following the right way of advocacy by identifying the root cause, objectives, mapping out the stakeholders involved, developing strategies and doing risk assessment. Caritas members who attended understood the key elements of advocacy and its concept which could be applicable in Caritas.
The business day on advocacy was followed by safeguarding by Mr Domnic Selvam, a lawyer and a former Chairman of the Industrial Court of Malaysia. Caritas Malaysia prepared a handbook on Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy for all the Caritas members who participated in the assembly. The handbook contained a brief and concise information of fundamental knowledge on safeguarding policy; the policy was constructed by Caritas Malaysia to ensure the members of Caritas are well aware of their part and to adhere to the legal procedures while assisting a case. Children are the vulnerable group of the community thus, recognising the problems they are facing and to act accordingly is a part of Caritas responsibility.
Caritas Malaysia prepared an acknowledgement form for all the dioceses present to get an acknowledgement consent as an evidence that the members present were trained and enlightened on the mentioned topics and are accountable to assist cases under Caritas by adhering to the policies explained Fr Fabian, the national director of Caritas.
Fr Fabian emphasised that the acknowledgement serves importance to the members of Caritas as well as guides the members of Caritas in following the policy in the ministry. The acknowledgement was agreed and signed by eight dioceses of Malaysia with thorough understanding of the policy guide.
