Card. Tagle: Asia’s mission is encounter and dialogue, even in persecution
Rome (AsiaNews) – As Christians, we go to so- called "mission territories", because we love all people and we want to share the great gift of Jesus and his Gospel with everyone. In the universal Church, the fruit of mission is a deeper communion. People of different nations and languages become one family of God. My presence here tonight expresses the profound unity which binds the Church of Rome to the Church of Asia, and in particular the Church in the Philippines. Where many missionaries from Rome and from other parts of Italy have served and continue to serve. Here in Rome, there are many Asian Catholics especially Filipinos serving parishes, schools, families and convents. We are the family of God by faith and mission. We are a Church, because we love each other and serve each other.
As you know, the Church in Asia - which is the most populous continent in the world - remains a minority, a small flock. How do Christians in Asia take on the task, when they are so few and I would say almost invisible? What are their daily lives like, and how do they live their faith among people of other religions that are older than Christianity? The main way of living mission in Asia is through sincere and fraternal dialogue with non-Christians and their cultures.
This means being silently but deeply inserted in the ordinary flow of life of our neighbors: in fact we share their struggles, joys, sorrows and successes, thus making the Christian spirit that animates us visible. We recognize that Christians and non-Christians have much in common: love of family, responsibility and concern for children, the desire for a dignified and peaceful life, the pain when a loved ones get sick, and much more . We are brothers and sisters in our common home called human existence.
Christians in Asia proclaim Jesus and his Gospel through compassion, kindness, smiles, love, service. In Asia, in general, Christians are respected, free to practice their faith. But in some places they are at best tolerated. Catholic hospitals and schools, Caritas centers for victims of natural disasters, orphanages and shelters for the homeless of the dioceses and religious orders, social services offered by lay movements, testify to the love of Jesus for children, the sick and for those who suffer.
Years ago, in Thailand, I visited a school owned by a religious order. Nearly 700 students, but less than 20 were Christians. I asked the head of the religious school if they considered it a failure to have so few Christian students. He told me: "We educate and take care of all children, Christians and non-Christians, as if they were our own. We teach them and show them with facts that Jesus loves and welcomes all children. "
I once met a Chinese Buddhist woman in a restaurant. My maternal grandfather was born in China. She asked me if I was a priest. Surprised and amazed, I asked her: "What made you think that I am a priest?". Her response was wonderful, "I am a Buddhist, but I studied in a Catholic school in Hong Kong. For this, I sense the presence of a priest or a religious. I owe a lot to the schools and to the Church, and because of that I have made sure that all my children and grandchildren study in Catholic schools. In order to learn discipline and acquire Christian values. I remain a Buddhist, but I consider Christian ideals a treasure. "Sisters and brothers, imagine a Buddhist promoting Catholic education and Christian ideals! This is a result of the mission as a dialogue of life.
In Cambodia, a priest told me that in his first parish there was only one Catholic. Brothers priests, listen up! There was only one Catholic! From the Philippines, where the majority of parishes are large, I asked him: "Did you feel discouraged?". He said: "Not at all. I served one parishioner faithfully and energetically. If a parish has one or twenty parishioners, it matters little. It is a living Church, which deserves all the care of their pastor. "
Unfortunately, in some parts of Asia, Christians are not accepted. They are persecuted, sometimes subtly and sometimes more openly, violently. Some Christians have left their country to save their families, while others have decided to stay. But in their suffering, they bear witness to the strong presence of the Holy Spirit.
A Catholic doctor of an Asian country where worship was forbidden, prepared a woman for baptism. He was arrested for violating the law. After his release, I had the chance to meet him. Curious to know his state of mind I asked him: "If someone asks you again to be prepared for Baptism, would you? Would you risk your life again? ". With a smile he replied: "I would be happy to return to prison again, for Jesus and the Holy Church."
Many Christians also left their homeland because of poverty, lack of work and local conflicts. They are prepared to carry the cross of loneliness, due to separation from their families, only to ensure a better future for their children. Here in Rome there are many migrant workers from Asia, but I believe that they have found not only work but also a mission.
Filipino workers who migrate are the best missionaries in the Philippines, not only here in Rome but also in other parts of the world. Wherever they go, they bring the colorful Asian culture and the joy of the Christian faith. A Filipino woman who works for an Italian family once told me: "Every time I feed the two children for whom I care, I wonder who feeds my children in the Philippines. It breaks my heart to think of them, but then I look at these two beautiful Italian children and try to give them the love that I want to give my children. " This is not just a job, that's true mission. Rome is fortunate to have many missionaries who, like this woman, bring the faith and love.
We in Asia thank God even for a small parish situated in a hidden room that serves as a chapel; for a Catholic school with less than 20 Christian students, supported by some families who want to prevent the Church which their loved ones sacrificed so much for should go to ruin. The Church in Asia is alive, and proclaims and celebrates the power of Jesus, being a small minority should not prevent us from being joyful disciples and missionaries of Jesus.
I conclude recalling the pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the three Asian countries: South Korea, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. I got to see, to see with my own eyes, how the Pope came to understand the situation of the local Churches in Asia. His pastoral visits reflected the missionary path forward in Asia, which is dialogue through personal encounter. He spoke about Jesus and the Gospel in all his homilies and speeches, but also showed the face of Jesus smiling at young people, consoling a street child who asked why God allows children to suffer with a paternal embrace.
He sighed and suffered as he listened to the survivors of typhoons and earthquakes. He stopped to kiss and bless the sick children and the elderly, remained in the rain with the people who had been waiting for 15 hours to see him. He embraced not only Catholics but also non-Catholics and non-Christians. He prayed at the tomb of the martyrs that have no name. It was obvious that the Pope knew what mission is in Asia: its about Jesus. And when you cannot speak about Jesus, you must reveal Jesus in your encounter with people, through humble, sincere and human ways.
In the end, Pope Francis said that the faith of the simple people he met in Asia has evangelized. He told me: "The Church in Asia has a future, because there is energy, youth and a lot of suffering. Suffering makes people stronger in faith and hope".
Brothers and sisters, please pray for the Churches of Asia as we pray for you. All praise and glory be to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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23/02/2020 15:35
