A special Synodal Assembly was organized by the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishop’s Conferences) at the Camillian Pastoral Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from 11th to 15th May 2026. The main objective of this Assembly was to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying regarding the Mission of the Christian Family in the Church, especially, within the context of the Churches in Asia. The key-note speaker at this Assembly was the Sri Lankan Redemptorist, Fr. Vimal Tirimanna, CSsR who spoke on “Familiaris Consortio and Amoris Laetitia: Controversial Issues, Theological Developments and Pastoral Prospects.” Fr. Tirimanna who teaches at our Pontifical Alphonsian Academy in Rome delivered his address in two main parts, but stressing on the Pastoral Prospects, keeping in line with our Alphonsian moral and pastoral tradition. One of his courses in Rome, in fact, is to do with “Marital Morals in the Light of Amoris Laetitia.” Since this year (2026) marks the 10th anniversary of the publication of Amoris Laetitia, which itself was written in a synodal way by Pope Francis, this FABC Assembly had a special significance.
The Assembly was officially inaugurated with the Eucharistic celebration on 12th May which was presided over by Cardinal Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi, SVD, Archbishop of Tokyo, Japan. Some 50 participants, consisting of delegates from the member Episcopal Conferences of the FABC – Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Religious and lay men, and women – attended the Assembly. Most of the participants are actively involved in pastoral work to do with marriage and family issues in their respective countries. As the title of the Assembly itself signifies, one of the specialities of the three-day meeting was that the program was arranged to follow a synodal way, by the organizers of the FABC’s Office for Laity, Family and Youth. Thus, on the very first day, there were national reports from each of the member Episcopal Conferences about the reception of and the challenges to the implementation of the teachings of Amoris Laetitia in Asia. Keeping to the true synodal spirit, after every three presentations, there was silent prayer, and later, there was also the key synodal element of Conversation in the Spirit in Small Groups. This process aimed at discerning and listening to what the Holy Spirit says through each other. The same synodal method was followed on the second day (13th May) after the presentation of Fr. Tirimanna and that of Cardinal Pablo David, Bishop of Kalookan, Philippines who spoke on “The Family and the Word of God”. The last day began with a panel discussion on the “FABC 50 Bangkok Document” with brief presentations from four Panelists: Frs. Tirimanna (Sri Lanka), Enrico Emmanuel Ayo (Philippines), Nigel Lawrence Barrett (India), and Ms. Anna Teresa Amandus (Malaysia). This, too, was followed by Spiritual Conversations in Small Groups.
Fr. Vimal Tirimanna, CSsR., for Scala News
