austraLasia #3460
EAO Episcopal Overview
EAO July 4, 2014 -- With the Pope's first visit to Asia (Korea) now not far away, and last Sunday's bestowal of the pallium on Metropolitan archbishops (including 5 from the region covered by our Salesian EAO: Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar (he was absent from the ceremony) and Pakistan (Lahore), it might be interesting to take a quick look at the kind of appointments Pope Francis is making, and where that affects us - as in our Salesian presence in these various areas. It is also of interest to note the vacant sees.
It is interesting that ANS chose to run an article on the recent archiepiscopal appointment for Lahore, Archbishop Shaw. This is one appointment that impinges closely on Salesian presence (in Lahore and Quetta), given the constant challenges, in education amongst other areas, to a small but strong and proud Catholic minority in that part of Pakistan.
The Pope does not cease to surprise! On 3 July, he plucked an archbishop out of the priesthood, itself an unusual move, to head the Kuala Lumpur archdiocese. There are no Salesians in KL or Malaysia for that matter, though there are some nearby across the border in Thailand obviously. The choice of a Chinese Malaysian whose was a construction site worker (coordinator) in Sydney, before going on for the priesthood on return to Malaysia, is an interesting one indeed - all previous appointments have been from the Indian Malaysian sector, and already Bishops. Both the Lahore and the KL appointments indicate the Pope's clear choice for men of dialogue in a predominantly Muslim setting.
The retirement of the Cardinal Archbishop of HCM, Vietnam, meant that his somewhat recently appointed Coadjutor would succeed him. Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc was amongst those who received the pallium in Rome on Sunday. Archbishop Bui spoke warmly of the Pope: " It was a very important and moving moment. Pope Francis is much loved by Catholics in Vietnam and appreciated even by non-Christians. In Vietnam, his preaching comes across thanks to mass media and social networks. Even the press controlled by the communist regime speaks well of him. They love his smile, his way of acting and speaking, his predilection for the poor. We hope that this appreciation can have a positive influence in the relations between Vietnam and the Holy See and to soon see the establishment of full and official diplomatic relations". The archbishop has a busy time ahead of him. He has "250 major seminarians. Vocations are flourishing. Across the country there are 8 major seminaries with more than 3,000 candidates, among diocesan and religious. However, the formation of young people is now more difficult for the influence of a culture of secularization, practical materialism, an individualistic mentality that is more insidious compared to the atheism of the state." Incidently, Vietnam is still awaiting the appointment of an Apostolic Delegate and for at least one other vacant see.
Speaking of vacant sees - the Philippines, as of 3 July, has seven of them and Australia four, including the major leadership appointment in Sydney to replace Cardinal George Pell. The announcement is expected very soon, the 'terna' would have long been in the Pope's hands. He could yet surprise everyone. Australia has one Salesian Archbishop in Perth, Timothy Costelloe. Perth would be very unhappy to lose him!
Papua New Guinea too is looking for some appointments - Kerema, which includes our presence at Araimiri, and Wewak, which currently has no Salesian presence. Japan has a vacant see (Saitama. near Tokyo), and so do two Oceania locations (northern Marianas at one end and French Polynesia at the other, neither with Salesian presences). Indonesia has two vacant sees, neither directly affecting us. Myanmar has one, Loikaw, which has no Salesians (I think) but as the crow flies is not all that far from Chiang Mai in Thailand across the border - and yes, you find crows everywhere!
And Korea? Well, no surprise there that all episcopal appointments are up to date! And all is in readiness for the papal arrival. In an interview with Rome's Il Messaggero daily this week, the interviewer asked Francis if he "was focusing on Asia". His reply:
"I will go twice in six months to Asia. Korea in August to meet up with Asian youth and in january, where I will go to both Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The Church in Asia is a promise. Korea represents so much, it has a wonderful history where there were no priests for two centuries and Catholicism went ahead due to lay people. It has also had its martyrs. as for China, well there's a great cultural challenge. A huge one. Then there's the example of Matteo Ricci who did so much good."
Any clues as to what Francis' plans might be in all this, episcopal appointments, visits ...? He put it neatly to the interviewer when she asked him just where the 'Bergoglio' Church is heading:
"Thanks be to God I haven't got a Church. I follow Christ. I have founded nothing!"
EAO Episcopal Overview
It is interesting that ANS chose to run an article on the recent archiepiscopal appointment for Lahore, Archbishop Shaw. This is one appointment that impinges closely on Salesian presence (in Lahore and Quetta), given the constant challenges, in education amongst other areas, to a small but strong and proud Catholic minority in that part of Pakistan.
The Pope does not cease to surprise! On 3 July, he plucked an archbishop out of the priesthood, itself an unusual move, to head the Kuala Lumpur archdiocese. There are no Salesians in KL or Malaysia for that matter, though there are some nearby across the border in Thailand obviously. The choice of a Chinese Malaysian whose was a construction site worker (coordinator) in Sydney, before going on for the priesthood on return to Malaysia, is an interesting one indeed - all previous appointments have been from the Indian Malaysian sector, and already Bishops. Both the Lahore and the KL appointments indicate the Pope's clear choice for men of dialogue in a predominantly Muslim setting.
The retirement of the Cardinal Archbishop of HCM, Vietnam, meant that his somewhat recently appointed Coadjutor would succeed him. Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc was amongst those who received the pallium in Rome on Sunday. Archbishop Bui spoke warmly of the Pope: " It was a very important and moving moment. Pope Francis is much loved by Catholics in Vietnam and appreciated even by non-Christians. In Vietnam, his preaching comes across thanks to mass media and social networks. Even the press controlled by the communist regime speaks well of him. They love his smile, his way of acting and speaking, his predilection for the poor. We hope that this appreciation can have a positive influence in the relations between Vietnam and the Holy See and to soon see the establishment of full and official diplomatic relations". The archbishop has a busy time ahead of him. He has "250 major seminarians. Vocations are flourishing. Across the country there are 8 major seminaries with more than 3,000 candidates, among diocesan and religious. However, the formation of young people is now more difficult for the influence of a culture of secularization, practical materialism, an individualistic mentality that is more insidious compared to the atheism of the state." Incidently, Vietnam is still awaiting the appointment of an Apostolic Delegate and for at least one other vacant see.
Speaking of vacant sees - the Philippines, as of 3 July, has seven of them and Australia four, including the major leadership appointment in Sydney to replace Cardinal George Pell. The announcement is expected very soon, the 'terna' would have long been in the Pope's hands. He could yet surprise everyone. Australia has one Salesian Archbishop in Perth, Timothy Costelloe. Perth would be very unhappy to lose him!
Papua New Guinea too is looking for some appointments - Kerema, which includes our presence at Araimiri, and Wewak, which currently has no Salesian presence. Japan has a vacant see (Saitama. near Tokyo), and so do two Oceania locations (northern Marianas at one end and French Polynesia at the other, neither with Salesian presences). Indonesia has two vacant sees, neither directly affecting us. Myanmar has one, Loikaw, which has no Salesians (I think) but as the crow flies is not all that far from Chiang Mai in Thailand across the border - and yes, you find crows everywhere!
And Korea? Well, no surprise there that all episcopal appointments are up to date! And all is in readiness for the papal arrival. In an interview with Rome's Il Messaggero daily this week, the interviewer asked Francis if he "was focusing on Asia". His reply:
"I will go twice in six months to Asia. Korea in August to meet up with Asian youth and in january, where I will go to both Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The Church in Asia is a promise. Korea represents so much, it has a wonderful history where there were no priests for two centuries and Catholicism went ahead due to lay people. It has also had its martyrs. as for China, well there's a great cultural challenge. A huge one. Then there's the example of Matteo Ricci who did so much good."
Any clues as to what Francis' plans might be in all this, episcopal appointments, visits ...? He put it neatly to the interviewer when she asked him just where the 'Bergoglio' Church is heading:
"Thanks be to God I haven't got a Church. I follow Christ. I have founded nothing!"
