Tagle leads opening of Asian Mission Congress in Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines — Vatican pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle led the symbolic opening of the 2nd Asian Mission Congress in Penang, Malaysia on Thursday.

The four-day gathering, dubbed as “The Great Pilgrimage of Hope,” is attended by 900 cardinals, bishops, religious and laypeople from more than 30 countries, with 140 from the Philippines joining the event that will run until Nov. 30.

Outgoing Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Kalookan Archbishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said Asia’s cultural and spiritual diversity calls the Church to a deeper practice of listening, dialogue and shared mission.

“Asia is a vast mosaic of cultures, languages and religions. Yet in all this diversity, God is gently weaving us together into one family,” David said.

He expressed hope that the Church in the coming decade would center on walking more closely with communities, especially young people.