The Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue, which strongly values dialogue among civilisations, welcomes Pope Francis’s visit to Asia, a continent with diverse religious beliefs and practices.
Francis is making his 45th apostolic journey on 2-13 September, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. This marks his return to Asia in 2019, when he visited Thailand and Japan.
The upcoming 12-day trip will be his longest trip abroad throughout his 11-year papacy.
During his visit, Francis will meet young people, older adults, the sick, children with disabilities, government officials, bishops, priests, religious and missionaries. He will also engage in inter-religious dialogue.
The culture of encounter is very significant today, especially in Asia, where major religions like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism have their origins. Besides this, the region facing challenges of coexistence in the context of emotion-laden ethno-religious identity politics.
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The plight of minority communities is critical in this context.
Asia’s complexity and treasure of ancient wisdom makes it a viable continent for inter-civilisational dialogue, through the life and realities of its common people in certain contexts.
The importance of mutual respect among cultures and common understanding on what constitutes justice in diverse societies are critical areas where dialogue is imperative.
This comes in the context of Asia, where there is superpower rivalry.
The US and China are creating competing visions for a region that does not adhere to the underlying principles of the major religions in Asia, which teach freedom, justice, solidarity, harmony and coexistence.
The presence of Francis with other religious leaders could highlight the injustice that comes with the global hegemonic tendencies of big powers, ideological colonisation, and extreme identity politics affecting certain countries in Asia.
Hopefully, Pope Francis’ visit to Asia will encourage a culture of encounter and dialogue.
This should lead to mutual respect, peace and justice that is in solidarity with the common people.
Let’s hope these values will flourish and take root in the hearts of the younger generation in Asia. – The Malaysian Insight
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
