Catholicism in Asia

"Asia is the earth's largest continent and is home to nearly two-thirds of the world's population, with China and India accounting for almost half the total population of the globe. The most striking feature of the continent is the variety of its peoples who are 'heirs to ancient cultures, religions and traditions'. We cannot but be amazed at the sheer size of Asia's population and at the intricate mosaic of its many cultures, languages, beliefs and traditions, which comprise such a substantial part of the history and patrimony of the human family." These words of Pope John Paul II, in the Apostolic Exhortation (#6) of Church in Asia, introduces the article Catholicism in Asia in the recent issue of the Catholic Times.

The writer is a priest-professor working as a member of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) as one of their theologians. He has traveled extensively in Asia and gives us his impressions of the challenges Asia faces.

Besides the wide cultural differences of Asian countries, there are also economic  and social structural disparities as well. In Northeast Asia, for instance, there is economic progress while in other parts of Asia there is great poverty. Again, from the John Paul's Exhortation: "On the subject of economic development, situations on the Asian continent are very diverse, defying any simple classification. Some countries are highly developed, others are developing through effective economic policies, and others still find themselves in abject poverty, indeed among the poorest nations on earth. In the process of development, materialism and secularism are also gaining ground, especially in urban areas. These ideologies, which undermine traditional, social and religious values, threaten Asia's cultures with incalculable damage" (#7).

The difficulty of evangelizing the Asian environment will be much more difficult than on the other continents of the world, the priest said, because of the difficult task of discerning the dreams and hopes, the pain and despair of the Asians themselves. What salvation are they looking for? What is the place that Jesus should have in their lives? These questions will have to be the concern of the FABC, he said.

How do Christians live in an environment that is not welcoming?  To answer adequately it will be necessary to make a study of how Christians do actually live their lives, how they experience Christ in the Asian world, how they live their faith by examining their words and actions. There have been studies over the years and "Sprouts of Theology from the Asian Soil" is a fine example of a study that has examined the teachings of the Church from the Asian perspective.

The fundamentalism of Islam in South Asia is a serious threat to Christianity, according to the FABC. There is also the problem with Protestant fundamentalist groups that are winning adherents from the young people in countries like the  Philippines. In Northeast Asia the educated classes are attracted to atheism and scientism. Materialism and secularism are spreading, and  many young people, being confused and without a meaningful approach to life, are turning away from religion.

The professor is happy to be working in this field of theology and feels that Korea has much to contribute to the Asian Church. God is calling us, he says, to be workers in the vast field of Asia. In his own faith experience, he feels that God's love is asking us to spread the mercy of God to the peoples of Asia.