Basic communities and inter-religious dialogue: Synod’s new challenges for Thai Church
Bangkok (AsiaNews) - Strengthening the work of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC), a model for sharing faith and the new evangelization, and promoting inter-religious dialogue and cultural diversity around the world to promote peace and harmony. These are the two proposals that Msgr. Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij, Archbishop of Bangkok, has advanced during the recent Synod of Bishops, which was held at the Vatican October 7 to 28. The prelate took part in the 13th Synod Assembly as representative of the Thai Episcopal Conference (CBCT) during which he met with Pope Benedict XVI, bishops, cardinals, Catholic personalities from around the world.
In recent days, Msgr. Kovithavanij wanted to share this privileged experience with all the faithful of Thailand, with a reflection assigned to the columns of the Thai Catholic Udomsarn Weekly, starting with the opening ceremony which he termed "elegant". Taking inspiration from the 2010-2015 pastoral plan of the Thai Church, the Archbishop reminded those present at the Synod, of the value of the Basic Ecclesial Communities and interreligious dialogue, which applies to Thailand as for Catholics around the world.
"There are elements of the Synod - says the prelate - that the Thai Church must know about", the first of which is the "Message to the People of God" and the second is "the final list of proposals" that the Pope "has allowed to be published". The three weeks of meetings and discussions, he said, have made it more "vividly" enhanced the work of evangelization and strengthened "love" for the proclamation of the Gospel. "I suggest that Thai Catholics immediately begin to proclaim the Good News, and when the post-synodal document is published, we will immediately understand the right track to follow."
At the end of reflection, Msgr. Kovithavanij emphasized the "great opportunity" that presented itself to "exchange ideas with other bishops" of the world and understand "the problems faced by other churches." "The universal church expands its vision - said the bishop - to promote mutual listening, especially among representatives of other Christian denominations such as the Anglican Archbishop Rowan Douglas Williams and representatives of the Orthodox Churches."
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