Caritas Asia Regional Conference

Mar 24, 2023

SIBU: The 2023 Caritas Asia Regional Conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 7 to 8 with the theme Building New Paths of Fraternity.

Malaysia was represented by Executive Secretary from the National Office, Eta Ting (Caritas Sarawak Region), Fr Martinian Lee (Caritas Semenanjung Region) from Caritas Malacca-Johor and Fr Wilfred James (Caritas Sabah Region) from Caritas Keningau.

This annual meeting of the 25 Caritas Member Organisations in Asia is an important gathering for members to discuss their national and regional matters concerning the Caritas confederations in the region.

The first day began with Mass. Bishop Paul Daisuke, President of Caritas Japan, exhorted us to remember that despite Caritas’ rules and laws, it is the love of God that compels us to work for one Master and for us all to be connected with one another in love. All we need is Jesus, the one Master-builder, with us as His co-workers, to continue trusting Him always to be of service to the poor.

He shared the powerful testimony of how the police did not stop his Caritas Niigata members from distributing food daily for the homeless during the lockdown period the last two years.

Dr Pier Francesco Pinelli, Caritas Internationalis Temporary Administrator, shared with the delegates the latest report and updates from Caritas Internationalis as tasked to him and another two appointed Caritas members by our Holy Father.

Dr Pinelli expressed Pope Francis’ wish to welcome the women and youth representatives from Caritas Asia to become Representative Council members of Caritas Internationalis in May for the General Assembly in Rome.

An estimated 400 Caritas members from the seven regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, North America and Oceania, are expected to gather for this.

Then, Fr Tony Labiao, Representative of SEA to the Regional Commission, presented the updates of the 10 Caritas from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, CHARIS Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam.

Eta presented for Caritas Malaysia. She highlighted the common flooding issue in Malaysia and hoped for better collaboration in long term projects to curb the frequent floods in the three regions of Semenanjung, Sarawak and Sabah.
Sr Anne Waturua, as Representative of Central Asia to the Regional Commission, gave the updates of Central Asia Sub-region that is from Caritas Kazakhstan, Caritas Kyrgyzstan, Caritas Mongolia, Caritas Tajikistan, and Church of Turkmenistan.

Fr Paul Choo reported on the East Asia Sub-region from Caritas Hong Kong, Caritas Japan, Caritas Korea, Caritas Taiwan and Caritas Macau.

Lastly, Fr Lalit Tudu summarised the updates from South Asia Sub-region comprising of Caritas Bangladesh, Caritas India, Caritas Nepal, Caritas Pakistan and Caritas Sri Lanka.

The Solidarity Dinner was a memorable and fun time to celebrate the new friendship and to enjoy singing praises and giving thanks to God. Caritas Malaysia and Caritas Indonesia got the Caritas members to sing and dance to Hari Ini Aku Rasa Bahagia to close the happy hour.

On the second day, Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, President of Caritas Philippines, in his homily reminded the delegates to be proactive, to serve to give life rather than to be reactive and waiting to be served.

Mungreiphy Shimray, from Caritas India, was chosen as Caritas Asia Regional Coordinator. She replaces Zar Gomez, who has served for two terms.

Shimray has served Caritas India for 25 years and she looks forward to joining Caritas Asia Regional Secretariat in June 2023. The election of the nominated Caritas Asia Regional President will be known on May 10 in Rome, prior the Caritas Internationalis General Assembly. The new Caritas Asia Regional Commission Members for 2023 to 2027 are: Caritas Kazakhstan, Caritas Japan, Caritas India and Caritas Cambodia.

Overall, the takeaway learning points from Dr Benedict were: Trust each other, participate openly and authentically, support each other fraternally, coordinate for equal dignity and be proactive.

This conference was enriching and fruitful for all three as first timers from Malaysia. Caritas Malaysia looks forward to the next events: Institutional Development and Capacity Strengthening (IDCS) Workshop organised by Caritas Asia to be held in Malaysia, and the Caritas Internationalis General Assembly in Rome.