A Malaysian delegate to the Synod on Synodality expressed that Pope Francis’ synodality project strongly resonates in Asia, especially as political and religious extremism contributes to the shrinking public space for faith in some areas.
BANGKOK, Thailand — In a report by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News, Fr. Clarence Davedassan, director of Kuala Lumpur’s Catholic Research Centre, emphasized that dialogue is not a novelty in Asia but an essential part of daily life.
“Some people say dialogue is an option, but if I may be brave enough to say, in Asia, dialogue is not an option, but dialogue and harmony is a matter of survival, in order to exist, in order to live with others,” he said.
According to Davedassan, who is also a member of the Office for Theological Concerns of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), synodality forms the foundation of faith communities in Asia.
“Because we come from a very pluralistic culture, with different religions, with different cultures, with different traditions, it is necessary to seek harmony. It is necessary to live with each other,” he said.
He noted that the rise in interfaith and intercultural marriages in the region requires children to learn to listen and understand each other.
“So this journey of synodality is not something that is new to many parts of Asia. It has already existed and it continues to bring and also continues to animate the Church,” he explained.
In Asia, Catholics represent only 3% of the continent’s four billion people, and Christians are the majority only in the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
Davedassan highlighted the minority status of Christians in Asia, explaining that this reality shapes their approach to faith and dialogue. “Christians are a minority and so that is the lens through which many Asians would look through,” he said.
 News, Fr. Clarence Davedassan, director of Kuala Lumpur’s...){kind=link}