The 10th General Assembly of East Asia Delegation was celebrated from 19 – 22 April. Due to the travel restrictions still in place in many East Asian countries under the pandemic, the Assembly was unprecedentedly held online. The four-day gathering of the Assembly followed the appreciative methodology of the General Chapter in discerning the Dream, Design, and Commitment of the Delegation according to the three transformations following the call of Querida Congregación.
Father Mathew Vattamattam, Superior General, presided over the Assembly which began on Tuesday, April 19. In his opening recollection talk, he situated the Delegation members to the historical reality of the pandemic and how the virus is also a metaphor for the spiritual viruses of a pandemic nature and the social viruses of abortion, human trafficking that threaten the humanity. Quoting the Fathers of the Church, Father General explained the pathologies that affect our spiritual life. The talk was punctuated by silent recollective moments.
The new Government of the Delegation, headed by Francisco Carin Garcia as the Delegate Superior, was inaugurated on December 8, 2021. This Assembly, held at the beginning of the government’s term, will serve as a blueprint for the triennium.
East Asia Delegation is uniquely composed of five geographical regions and three languages with missionaries from 11 nationalities: Italy, Chile, Argentina, India, Poland, Mexico, Spain, China, Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan.
Among the participants was Bishop Josep Maria Abella, the former Superior General. He serves the diocese of Fukuoka in Japan. The bishop shared about his presence and projects as a missionary bishop in the diocese on the third day of the Assembly. He also spoke about his vision for the pastoral accompaniment of priests and the faithful.
The Assembly was concluded on April 22 with the “dream of an East Asia Delegation that is a fraternity in mission, that audaciously goes forth, particularly to the peripheries, to announce the Gospel.” The Delegation dreams of its missionary existence “rooted in and animated by the Word of God in our ministries, in synodality and shared mission.” The Assembly reiterated its commitment towards the “formation and accompaniment of evangelisers and the youth,” and with an openness “to dialogue with the various faiths and cultures of East Asia, using all possible means, including those of modern technologies, as we care for our common home.”
