Asian Delegates with Pope Francis at the Synod 2024

by Margaux Salcedo | October 3, 2024

Asian delegates to the 2024 Synod on Synodality had a photo with His Holiness Pope Francis as posted by Bishop Mylo Vergara in his Facebook page today.

Seen in the photo are Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (4th from left), Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; Cardinal Jose Advincula (leftmost), Archbishop of Manila; Bishop Mylo Vergara (seventh from left), Bishop of the Diocese of Pasig; Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo and Caritas Internationalis President (12th from left); Cardinal Stephen Chow, Bishop of Hong Kong (right behind Pope Francis); Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP President (behind Cardinal Chow); Bishop Antonius Subianto Benjamin, OSC, of Bandung, head of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (2nd from Bishop Ambo David); and Dr Estela Padilla (front row in red blazer), among others.

The Asian delegates had previously held a three-day preparatory meeting at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre in Bangkok last August 6 to 9, wherein they studied and discussed the working document of the synod that would be the main focus of the October session.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, said in the inaugural Mass that synodality is a call to renew the Church and to revitalize its missionary vocation.

Asian delegates to the 2024 Synod in Bangkok. Photo: FABC.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong said, "Asian culture emphasizes the maintenance of harmonious relationships and unity. The (preparatory) meeting (in Bangkok) sought to find new inspiration through unity and to embrace the path of synodality within the Church—this is the contribution of the Churches in Asia to the universal Church. Asia has nurtured a diversity of cultures and religions, and by embracing harmony, mutual appreciation, and respect for differences, we can help the universal Church understand more about the experience of walking together amidst diversity.”

Bishop Vergara has also posted a photo of the Asian bishops with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Also with them is Fr. Rico Ayo of the Archdiocese of Manila who is assisting the General Secretariat of the Synod.

The Synod on Synodality is a three-year process of listening and dialogue beginning with a solemn opening in Rome on October 9 and 10, 2021. The second session taking place this 2024 began on the Feast of the Guardian Angels (October 2) and will run until Sunday October 27, 2024.