FINAL STATEMENT OF 5TH AsIPA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Held at Regional Major Seminary, Davao, From October 20th - 28th 2009.

ALL OF US at the FABC Office of Laity and Family send you warm greetings… 1. P7 _,Y7 For a Christmas season blessed with 1.1 The 5th AsIPA General Assembly gathered 225 par cipants from 17 countries at the Regional a deep experience Major Seminary, Davao city, Philippines from October of Jesus’ gifts of 20th to 28th 2009. As we are gathered here we Peace & Joy. remember that this is the land where some 40 years ago the seeds of BECs/SCCs1 were fi r st sown. We also May our families respec ully remember the BEC leaders who were and communities be martyred during the Mar al Law for their prophe c transformed with commitment. these gifts; to be living witnesses of 1.2 Linking with the previous assembly in His Life in us. Trivandrum which discussed the sacraments in SCCs and con nuing the refl ec ons of the 9th FABC Plenary Assembly on, “Living the Eucharist in Asia” and the Synod on the ‘Word of God’ in Rome, this assembly took the theme “Do this in Memory of me (Lk.22:19): Bread Broken and Word Shared in SCCs”. We shared how the Word and the Eucharist were lived in the SCCs and we were challenged as to how SCCs can become catalysts of integral evangeliza o n.

1 SCCs & BECs are used interchangeably. For this document we will keep to SCCs for brevity. (con n ued on page 2)

Vol. 2009 No. 4 (con n ued from page 1)

2. AJ ` R7 YJJ7 J` SCC.

2.1 One of the tangible results of SCCs is the interest in the Word of God. Many members own a Bible and make eff o rts to know the Bible be e r.

2.2 One of the most visible fruits of SCCs sharing and living the Word is 5th AsIPA General Assembly the growing sense of belonging in these communi es. 3. TG7YBJ- Y I`JBG.

2.3 Being guided by the Word of God, 3.1 “Do this in memory of me” Both the Word and the Bread as SCCs in par cipa ng countries are growing sources of eternal life are integral parts of the memory of Jesus that SCCs in their commitment to reach out to those celebrate in the Eucharist and keep alive in their communi es. (cf. FABC in need in the neighbourhood and are 9, 2009, Message) enabled to read the ‘signs of the  mes’ and respond in the light of the Gospel. 3.2 “Word Shared” SCCs gather for regular sharing of the Word of God, for “human beings do not live by bread alone but by every Word that 2.4 Confi rming what Pope John Paul proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4). The faith of the community II stated in Redemptoris Missio para 51, in is born out of and strengthened by listening to and sharing the Word of many countries SCCs have become centres God which nourishes their faith and deepens the bond of communion, for daily catechesis and contextualized building up the community. (Eph 4:15-16) faith forma on. They are agents of evangeliza on in their own way in the 3.3 “Bread broken” “The Eucharis c community is cons tu v e local context, enabling the community of the invisible communion with God in Jesus and the Spirit and the to take responsibility for the mission of visible communion of all people” (Ecclesia de Eucaris a . 35). The one sharing the message of Chris a n hope, bread and one cup of wine made from many grains of wheat and grapes peace and joy with their neighbours. crushed, is symbolic of the many members of the body of Christ unifi ed in the Eucharist and of the gathering of all the people in the Kingdom. 2.5 Although par cipa on in The breaking of the bread celebrates, deepens and fosters communion Eucharis c celebra o ns has increased manifested in the spirit of unity, par cipa on and sharing in the SCCs. because of ac ve involvement in SCCs; in The Eucharist makes present the total self-giving and sacrifi cial love of many parts of Asia the communi es are Jesus (Jn.10:17) so that we may have life in abundance (Jn.10:10). not able to celebrate the Sunday Eucharist regularly due to the lack of ordained 3.4 “Mission” At the recently concluded 9th plenary assembly of ministers. FABC, the Asian stated “we are convinced that meaningful, contempla ve, experien al and prayerful celebra on of the Eucharist 2.6 In some countries especially in has the poten al to render the Chris a n communi es of Asia powerful the ci es, due to the heavy schedule of witnesses of Jesus, witnesses who are bearers of his presence, his love, work and travel, many SCCs have a low and his healing power”. (cf. Final Message) The Breaking of the Word and a endance for the Eucharist and for the Bread challenges the SCCs to share all the diverse charisms and gi s Gospel Sharing. given by the Spirit and use them to build up the body of Christ (Eph.4:11- 12) and carry out their mission to the world. 2.7 The experience of Gospel Sharing ‘sharing the word’ has shown that the Word of God is as important as the ‘breaking of bread’ in leading SCCs to a Christ experience. The par cipants also acknowledged the various other methods and approaches used in diff erent Asian countries to break the Word of God in SCCs.

2.8 The experience of the various Gospel Sharing methods and the Eucharis c celebra o ns during this Assembly made us aware of the social and poli cal reali es in the region and how the SCCs are a sign of hope. Message of the YAsians of the 5th Asian Youth Day to the Young Asians 5th AsIPA General Assembly J7  W G7 Y *7, B *7 4. CG YY7`B7 `3 5. C`-Y J` G `W, `3 3JJ, 73 G7_ R7-__7`3 J`.  G7 +G +77 JJ`B 5.1 The Assembly gained a deeper G77; G7 G7` 3J3 G7  _7 4.1 The presence of a large understanding of the signifi cant role +JG G7 AJG, 3JJ, J`B  number of passive and un-churched SCCs can play both in celebra ng _ -G  G71 + `73. (JG` members in our is a great Eucharist meaningfully and living it 6:11) challenge to the SCCs. out in their daily lives. We are YAsians! – the young Asians 4.2 In several Asian countries 5.2 In the light of discussions of the 5th Asian Youth Day, coming from the socio-economic problems caused and sharing during the assembly the countries all over Asia. We gathered for by migra o n, poverty and cultural par cipants strongly felt that SCCs be the grand YAsia Fiesta in the upheavals are adversely aff ec ng exhorted to work harder to animate of (, Philippines), 20 – 27 family life. The SCCs are called to its members to take the Word and the November 2009. As one, we ate a lot, we respond to these reali es in the light Eucharist more seriously into their prayed a lot, we played a lot. We shared of the gospel. lives. stories, we laughed, we cried, we made many new friends! We walked, we listened, 4.3 Impelled by the Word of God, 5.3 We are deeply grateful to we talked. We feasted and we celebrated the SCCs are called to get involved Fernando Capalla and our faith - all in the spirit of coming in the social transforma on of his local team of organizers at the together, sharing the Word and living the oppressive structures, based on the Seminary & other residence. For the Eucharist. values of the Kingdom. exposure programme and for the SCCs / GKKs for their generous hospitality YAsia Fiesta made us rediscover our 4.4 The is challenged and hard work. We also acknowledge giftedness, openness and youthfulness. to face the reality of fi nding ways with gra tude the generous support We experienced again our creativity and and means of making the Eucharist given to us by MISSIO Germany and richness in talents. Despite barriers an integral part of the life of the others who contributed towards the especially in language, we were able to community. fund. FABC Offi ce of Laity and Family, reach out to one another and respect our AsIPA desk for overall coordina o n differences. Because we are young, we 4.5 The coordina o n of the eff o rts work. are full of energy and we recognize that to form, strengthen and sustain SCCs there is so much more in our lives. in Asia is a demanding task. 5.4 Finally we raise our hearts in gra t ude and prayer to our Almighty We also realized the vast opportunities 4.6 The spirit of the ‘new way of Father through Jesus his Son and the before and around us. Ours is the being Church’ challenges SCC leaders Spirit that we may be con nually generation enriched with technological and other Church leaders to exercise led to grow as communi es Sharing advancements for our efficiency and a non-domina ng and facilita v e the Word and Breaking the Bread. convenience. Our Church in Asia is open style of leadership. We intercede to our Blessed Mother to learn and collaborate. Also ours is the who guided the fi rst community to rich living Christian heritage beginning 4.7 The SCCs are called to live out the Word and the Eucharist, with Abraham to Joseph, Mary and our integrate faith and daily life from the to be our source of inspira on and Savior Je s us Christ until our present age. Eucharis c celebra o n so that their transforma on. May we be given Indeed, we young Asians are so privileged lives become sources of healing, unity the grace to die as a grain of wheat and blessed! and reconcilia on. to give new life in and through SCCs. ‘THY KINGDOM COME HERE IN OUR Yet we also acknowledge with humility 4.8 The SCCs nourished by the NEIGHBOURHOOD” ÿ all the difficulties that beset us. In some Eucharist should become ‘Open ways, there seems to be differences in Doors’ for faith seekers. understanding of our value, presence, role and potential as young people both The 5th Asian Youth Day: by the Church and by ourselves. Many among us find it difficult to identify ourselves with Christian beliefs and practices even if we A Journey with the Word were baptized Christians at an early age. Worse, some of us live in circumstances with and the Eucharist little or no freedom in religious expression. MORE THAN 1,600 delegates from 22 countries all We are also burdened by the extremely over Asia, went back home spirit-fi l led and renewed uneven distribution of wealth in our countries, by the 8-day experience in the Philippines. The 5th which results in the inequity in economic and Asian Youth Day held in the Diocese of Imus, marked educational opportunities. We too are being a signifi cant stop in their faith journey as they face negatively influenced by the mass media and personal challenges in their young life amidst the new media which in many ways lead us to the issues and reali es in their own countries. loss of self-identity with their emphasis on consumerism and secularism. YAJ FJ7 ! Young Asians, Come together, Share the Word, Live We are YAsians! Being nourished by the the Eucharist! Word and the Eucharist, we dare to face and overcome these challenges. was clearly a youthful celebra o n of Catholic faith on the colorful backdrop of Asia. Coming from mul -cultural and mul -religious We commit ourselves to renew, strengthen backgrounds, young Asians rediscovered their iden t y as Catholics as they and practice our Christian faith in word and deepened their experience of faith through a personal encounter with the deed, prayer and service, even if others may living Word and the Eucharist. judge and think of us differently. We will deepen our love for the Word of God and the THE JOURNEY starts at their country of origin through the AYD PREPARATORY Eucharist to keep the fire of Christ in us PROGRAM. Unlike many conferences that only demand full par cipa on burning. during the actual event, would-be delegates were required to go through a forma on experience before We also commit ourselves to the coming to the Philippines. Apart full development of our potentials and from helping them to build opportunities that we may rise from poverty rela onships with their companions of self and others. and get organized as a delega on, the preparatory modules set the With our Church, starting from our founda on on the theme of the families, parishes and local Christian AYD5. Signifi cant in this program communities, we shall build bridges of were the prepara o n of their peace, understanding and love. We confess personal bible (the good news in our limitations and we beg our elders for my life), a refl ec on of their own faith journey in the framework of the Holy support. We appeal to our Church to enable Scriptures, their country bible (a summary of their personal faith journeys) us to live our faith. and a celebra on of their tradi onal meal culture where they also assess the Eucharist in their own lives and culture. We proclaim God’s kindness as we strongly affirm the power in us, young people – that REACHING MANILA, the young delegates were welcomed by their diocesan power to dream, to influence, to make a hosts. Each delega on was assigned to one difference and to change the world. This is of the 10 who organized DAYS IN indeed our new season of grace! THE DIOCESE. This 3-day stopover was an opportunity to be exposed to Philippine local JESUS TOOK THE LOAVES, GAVE THANKS, church and community. Families welcomed AND DISTRIBUTED THEM TO THOSE WHO WERE the young pilgrims in their homes giving them SITTING THERE; HE THEN DID THE SAME WITH a taste of typical Filipino family life. This was THE FISH, DISTRIBUTING AS MUCH AS THEY marked by family sharing, meals together and WANTED. (JOHN 6:11) liturgies handled by the family and the delegates themselves. DID introduced them to diff erent We are the fish. We are the loaves – taken, reali es in the diocese as well as opportuni es blessed, broken and shared. We are YAsians! to do community service like visi ng the sick, And so are you. ÿ helping in some livelihood projects or taking part in catechism classes for children. Most of all, it was a chance for real exposure with the (This is the statement read at the Closing (con n ued on page 5) Eucharis c Celebra on.) Filipino youth – their stories of faith and challenges, their ON DAY 4, the 68 workshops provided them with skills music, arts and lifestyle. on how to live the Word and the Eucharist. Done in a par cipatory and fun-fi l led way, the sessions gave them THE NEXT STOP was in the Diocese of Imus where the main a chance to share their views on issues relevant to their event of the AYD 5 took place. Opening the program at the young lives as well as be challenged to take on the mission historic Imus , the celebra on of the Eucharist as YAsian Heroes. The interreligious aspect of Asia was started with the dance of karakol led by the people of beau fully brought out as the delegates listened to Imus together with the AYD5 par cipants. Bp. Luis Antonio young people of diff erent faiths contribu ng to make a Tagle, the of Imus, presided over the celebra on. change in the world by their acts of heroism and service As the offi cial opening was announced by the Bp. Rolando on the con nent. Of course, central to all these were Tria-Tirona, OCD DD, FABC-OLF Chairman, the whole the  mes of sharing experienced every moment – at the crowd rejoiced as one community with the presenta ons plenary, during their morning refl ec ons, at meal mes, of Filipino music and dance by various local groups and at play (Pinoy games in the a ernoon) and in the many personali es. moments of dancing, singing, and celebra ng The succeeding days were together. cateche c al sessions, personal sharing/refl ec on, liturgies On the 27th at the Closing and celebra ons revolving Mass, Archbishop Orlando around the chosen theme. Bp. Quevedo, FABC Secretary Cornelius Sim from Brunei, General, in his homily, Abp. Dominic Jala from India challenged YAsians to look and Cardinal Zen of Hong at the reali es around. Kong were among the plenary Talking about recent events speakers. Their inspiring and in the Philippines and challenging words exhorted around Asia, he reminded the young to appreciate their them that the Fiesta faith in a deeper way and become what they believe in. con n ues as they are called to face these problems and These talks were complemented by youth sharers from to make a change where change needs to happen. The diff erent countries who were invited to impart their young responded through the Message of the 5th Asian personal stories of faith and mission. Youth Day to Young Asians, beau fully summarizing their experience and the convic on borne out of the The a ernoon sessions were crea v e community ac vi e s days together. and celebra ons to allow Young Asians more personal integra o n on the theme. Among these much appreciated As most of the delega ons trooped back home to their ac vi es were the YAsia Peria, country exhibits showcasing respec ve countries and provinces, a handful remained their country bible, saints and meal culture. The exhibi ons for post-AYD experiences. were crea vely prepared with much interac on among the delegates. It The Asian Youth was a youthful Ministers’ way to talk about Mee n g was the church in Asia; a ended by the how much the na onal youth faith is expressed commissions by the young and – bishop/s in celebrated in the charge of youth, variety of cultures youth directors and tradi ons. and ministers. The YAsian Walk, a It was a  me of walking celebra on refl ec o n in the perspec ve of ministry; a few days to of the Eucharist look back at what the AYD days has taught them and to reenac ng the Emmaus journey, remarkably brought the plan ahead looking further into what needs to be done. young delegates in a refl ec ve and prayerful mood. Bp. En tled ‘Towards a Word Centered and Eucharis c Youth Bong Baylon of the Philippines along with a host of other Ministry’, the mee n g’s highlight was the presenta on bishops led the young Asians in this meaningful encounter. of the results of the Asian Youth Survey on the Eucharist With the off ering of their own refl ec ons in bamboo s c ks and subregional refl ec ons and planning. There were put together to form the altar table, they commi ed likewise workshops for the ministers who appreciated themselves to live the Eucharist in their own way. the new skills to help them respond to the challenges of the Word and the Eucharist. Delegates from Mongolia, Myanmar and Cambodia stayed Excerpts from the for a few days more to a e nd post-AYD workshops. Youth Serving Youth, organized together with Bukal ng Tipan Plenary talks Pastoral Center and Peacebuilding and Interreligious Workshop sponsored by the University of Santo Tomas. Some also went for pastoral exposure helping them to witness youth to youth programs in diff erent parishes “I BELIEVE that our Asian con nent is experiencing a around Manila. hunger for the Word of God which is not being met. But we are not here to off er them another self help book to Other highlights include the meaningful pilgrimage of the read. The good news is that in the fullness of  me, the AYD cross, the personal encounters and faith sharing at all Word of God has put on human form in Jesus Christ of levels, the meaningful silence that spoke more loudly to Nazareth, born on the soil of the far western reaches of our Young Asians. Many more which we know are le in Asia. It is to him, the Son of God, we turn. We want him the hearts of all them – delegates, organizers, volunteers to speak to us. alike. They all have their stories to share. All because, we GATHERED TOGETHER, SHARED THE WORD AND LIVED We are li le people. We do not have the power of armies THE EUCHARIST! Live the spirit…Y J FJ7 ! ÿ and governments to change things. But we know of something more potent: the power of the Word of God. We can turn to this Word to speak to us.”

Bp. Cornelius Sim, AYD5 Day 2 speaker, YAsians, Share and Celebrate the Word!

“TO BE EXACT, heroism belongs to the essence of true love: love your God with all your heart and above everything. But heroism befi ts, in a par cular way, the youth, the age of ideals, of generosity, of enthusiasm. Half measures are not for young people. You embrace coherence, you abhor falsehood. You represent the youthfulness of the Church through your authen c ity, your radical-ness! Remember the “FOR YOUNG people today, especially, Jesus is given to us as generosity of that li le boy, friend of St. Andrew, who “food of truth,” the truth that will make us free. Young people off ered those 5 loaves and 2 fi sh, by which our Lord love to be free. The source of true freedom is in Christ who is fed the crowd. Remember the request our Lord made “the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6). Because Christ has of that rich young man: “sell everything, give to the become for us the food of truth, the Church keeps invi ng the poor, come and follow me!” believer to accept God’s gi . In the midst of the many lies of the world, Jesus “true bread” off ers himself as truth that will free us Mission is above all WITNESS. Only life can infl uence from all that enslaves us. Jesus in his self gi , reveals to us how life. Only when we have tasted the Word of God in greatly God has loved us. “ our listening, our reading, our contempla ng and our praying the Word, we will be able to spread the “The Eucharis c communion makes us determined to transform love for that Word. Only when we have savoured society and to restore respect for the dignity of all men and the sweetness of the divine presence through the women. We are called to work for reconcilia on if we have recep o n and adora on of the Blessed Sacrament dared to ask God to forgive us and have exchanged the sign of Eucharist, we can reverberate its comfor ng and of peace with others. Having received the peace of Christ, we strengthening power around us. “ are called to con nue to help create a civiliza on of peace and harmony. “ Cardinal Joseph Zen, Day 4 plenary speaker, Abp. Dominic Jala, AYD5 Day 3 Speaker, “In the Roads of the Word and the Eucharist, “YAsians, Love and Live the Eucharist!” YAsians, be Heroes in Mission!”