Entrusted to carry our Malaysian conversations at the Synod

Jul 28, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: Theologian Fr Dr Clarence Devadass from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, and Anna Teresa Peter Amandus from the Diocese of Sandakan, are the two delegates from Malaysia who have been personally selected by Pope Francis as Voting Members at the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

HERALD spoke to the duo, who are undoubtedly honoured and humbled at being chosen to attend the First Synod on Synodality, October 4-29, 2023 in Rome.

Fr Clarence was a member of the Asian Discernment and Writing Team that worked on the Final Document of the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality, while Anna was a delegate at the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality held in Bangkok in February this year.

Being able to see the fruition of their synodal journey in Bangkok unfold in Rome as voting members from the continental assemblies will certainly be a grace-filled experience for the both of them.

Describing the synod as ‘one-of-its-kind’, where non-bishops and laypeople will be in attendance and have voting rights for the first time, Fr Clarence views this experience as an opportunity to obtain a global perspective of the universal Church.

“Many times our ‘universe’ is confined to our own parish or diocese. Most of the time we understand our own context in our own country, but when we have the opportunity to read or hear the reports from different countries, it will be an eye opener to see new realities. It will give a certain vision of Church. That is the great joy of having this wider vision of who the Church is and I certainly look forward to sharing about Malaysia and the Asian Church with delegates from other parts of the world,” said Fr Clarence.

“I will carry the Asian and Malaysian conversations we have had, but I also want to hear what the others have to say,” said the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, while expressing hope that the attendees will respect the synod as a sacred space so that everyone can speak freely and listen openly to one another while keeping the growth of the Church at the core.

While going with an open mind and heart, Fr Clarence is keeping expectations at bay and is realistically aware that, with approximately 400 representatives at the synod, there are possibilities that not all the agenda or views of each country will be voiced or addressed.

Nevertheless, he has placed his trust in the synodal process and is convinced that the Holy Spirit will lead the Church collectively in moving forward in the right direction.

“The challenge is for us to understand that this is a process that we need to trust. We need to trust the Holy Spirit and we need to trust God, otherwise we will be disappointed if our views and concerns are not brought up or addressed.

Those of us going from this part of the world have to pray that we are faithful to the voice of Asia,” he added.

According to statistics released by the Holy Press Office on July 7, a total of 363 people will be able to vote in the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Among them, 54 of the voting delegates are women. For Anna Amandus, being among this small yet significant number, greatly reflects ‘the space in the tent being enlarged.’

“The decision made by the Holy Father to include women, emphasises his vision for the lay faithful taking on a greater role in Church affairs that have long been left to clerics, bishops and cardinals. I am certain that this Synod of Bishops will be “enriched” by representatives of the whole Church.

While admitting that she does not know what to expect at the synodal assembly, Anna is preparing herself by reading more on the synod and related Vatican documents. She and the other Asian delegates to the synod will be participating in an online meeting with the ‘Asia Group’ to help them be acquainted with the Instrumentum Laboris.

“This is an important meeting and therefore I will give and contribute the best of my ability to bring and share the voices of Asia (including Malaysia) in the Synod. I hope, by the grace of God, that this Synod will be fruitful, spiritually guided and come out with a direction (way forward) especially in giving a ‘fresh breath’ to the Church and her people.

Anna, who is attached to the Pastoral Office and Migrant Desk in her Diocese of Sandakan wishes to share with the delegates her synodal experience and learning, especially in the ongoing journey towards the Malaysia Pastoral Convention (MPC) 2026.

“I aspire to see our Malaysian Catholic Church go beyond barriers and differences, be united in God’s love and journeying together towards becoming a more synodal Church,” said the married lay woman, who also thanked her bishop, Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom and her husband, George Ryan Petrus Tokan, for their encouragement and support.