Church leaders and Catholic representatives from across Asia have called for greater pastoral support for Christian families, saying churches must develop long-term plans to help families face growing social and spiritual challenges.
The appeal was made during the Synodal Assembly on Family organised by the Office for Laity and Family of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 11 to 15 May.
The gathering brought together 52 participants from 11 Asian countries, including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious sisters and lay leaders. Discussions focused on the future mission of Christian families in Asia and the need for a more participatory and synodal Church.
Under the theme, “The Mission and Future Roadmap of the Christian Family in Asia Today,” delegates reflected on the changing realities facing families across the region and explored ways churches can provide better pastoral care.
The meeting also drew inspiration from Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of Love”), Pope Francis’ 2016 apostolic exhortation on family life and pastoral ministry.
Bishop Emmanuel Kanon Rozario of Bangladesh, chairman of the FABC Office for Laity and Family, said the Church must place greater importance on supporting women, young people and families within both Church and society.
Speaking during the opening session, he said the Church should recognise young people not only as the future but also as an active and valuable part of the Church today.
He encouraged Christian families to become homes rooted in God’s Word and stressed the importance of listening, prayer and spiritual discernment as part of the synodal journey.
Bishop Rozario also referred to the “Bangkok Document” produced during the FABC General Conference in 2022, which highlighted the empowerment of families, laypeople, women and youth as priorities for the Church in Asia.
Sri Lankan theologian Father Vimal Tirimanna delivered a keynote address examining the teachings of Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia alongside Familiaris Consortio, the 1981 apostolic exhortation of Pope John Paul II on the role of Christian families.
Father Tirimanna particularly emphasised the importance of caring for mixed-faith families in Asia’s diverse religious societies.
He said such families can serve as bridges of understanding and harmony between different religious communities and should be viewed as valuable contributors to peace and unity.
Filipino Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, vice president of the FABC, said the future of evangelisation in Asia would depend greatly on strong family life, prayer and regular reading of Scripture within the home.
He noted that spiritual growth in families is often more effective than large institutional programmes in nurturing faith across generations.
Cardinal David also outlined a three-stage synodal process. He explained that the first stage involves listening to the experiences and voices of the faithful, while the second stage focuses on bishops and clergy prayerfully discerning those reflections under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The assembly concluded with renewed calls for Asian churches to continue strengthening family ministries and supporting households as central to the mission of the Church.
Adapted from reporting by UCA News.
