The Gathering of Ecclesial Movements in Asia took place from August 25 to 27 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the participation of 23 movements from 14 countries. The objective of the event was to provide a forum for mutual contact and an opportunity to learn from each other about unique evangelical charism, creative methods used in ministry and also to discern the need for a more stable form of fellowship among the associations and movements at the Asian level in order to promote an inspiration and intensify the efforts at evangelism.
“Just as in the first millennium the Cross was planted on the soil of Europe, and in the second on that of the Americas and Africa, we can pray that in the Third Christian Millennium, a great harvest of faith will be reaped in this vast and vital continent”. (Ecclesia in Asia)
Fr. Vitor Bomfim, a missionary of Life Community who lives in Taiwan, had a moment to share about the Shalom Catholic Community with the more than 50 delegates who were taking part in the event. He talked about Shalom spirituality, forms of life, history and methods of evangelization. He says:
“The experience of taking part in this event is invaluable. We are having the opportunity to learn more about the richness and cooperation of ecclesial movements in Asia. Reflection in community has awakened the need to advance in the evangelization of the Asian people and this will only happen through a renewed openness to the action of the Holy Spirit in Community. I have a renewed awareness of being part of a Catholic Church and the desire to cooperate with the offering of my life to the mission of the Church in Asia”.
Other topics were discussed during the gathering, such as the preparation for the Silver Jubilee of the Apostolic Exhortation for Ecclesia in Asia, as well as the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the first exhortation of Pope Francis’ “Evangelii Gaudium”.