More Than Half a Century of FABC: Time for a Transparent Report to the People of God

(NSGH) From 20–27 July 2026, the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Assembly brings together Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and delegates from 22 Bishops’ Conferences and member Churches across Asia to pray, listen, discern, and discuss pastoral directions for the Church on the world’s most populous and religiously diverse continent.

Founded in 1972, in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, the FABC was established to strengthen communion among the Bishops’ Conferences of Asia, promote the mission of evangelization, and foster dialogue with cultures, religions, and the poor. For more than half a century, the FABC has served as a common forum where the shepherds of the Church in Asia meet, share pastoral experiences, and address the challenges facing the Church throughout the region.

At the same time, the 12th Plenary Assembly also offers an opportunity to reflect on the FABC’s 54-year journey. After more than five decades of service to the Church in Asia, many of the faithful hope not only to hear new themes or read final statements after each Assembly, but also to see a comprehensive picture of the Federation’s contributions, achievements, and the concrete implementation of its pastoral vision.

This is not an expression of doubt, nor does it diminish the dedicated efforts of the bishops and pastoral leaders. Rather, it reflects a legitimate expectation of accountability—a principle that any long-standing institution should embrace in serving the community entrusted to its care.

Over the past five decades, the FABC has convened numerous Plenary Assemblies, issued a wide range of pastoral documents, established specialized offices, and consistently proposed pastoral orientations for the Church in Asia. Yet many Catholics today are interested not only in the number of assemblies held, conferences organized, or documents published, but also in the tangible pastoral outcomes of those initiatives.

How many resolutions adopted by the FABC have been implemented by its member Bishops’ Conferences? How many pastoral initiatives have evolved into concrete programs? Which recommendations have contributed to the formation of priests, religious, catechists, and lay faithful? Which projects have strengthened the Church’s mission of evangelization, interreligious dialogue, and service to the poor? What successful pastoral experiences have been shared and replicated across the region?

A comprehensive statistical report and pastoral assessment would help answer these questions. Such a report would not be a celebration of achievements for their own sake, but rather an honest evaluation of what has been accomplished, what remains unfinished, and what priorities should guide the future. Transparency does not weaken an institution’s credibility; on the contrary, it strengthens trust and demonstrates responsibility before the People of God.

Alongside expectations for new pastoral directions, some members of the faithful have also offered constructive suggestions regarding the way future FABC assemblies might be organized. According to these views, face-to-face gatherings remain indispensable for prayer, the celebration of the liturgy, fostering communion, and pastoral dialogue among the bishops. Nevertheless, given the rapid development of digital technology, certain preparatory meetings, thematic discussions, and technical sessions could be conducted online or in a hybrid format.

Supporters of this approach believe that it could significantly reduce travel, accommodation, and organizational expenses, allowing more of the Church’s resources to be directed toward evangelization, charitable works, formation, and assistance for local Churches facing greater pastoral and financial challenges. This proposal is not intended to replace in-person assemblies, but rather to encourage the FABC to adapt prudently to the realities of the digital age while ensuring the responsible stewardship of the resources generously contributed by the People of God.

Synodality is not only about listening and dialogue; it also calls for transparency, accountability, and the ability to evaluate the work that has been undertaken. An institution that has served the Church for more than half a century should also provide periodic reports that help the faithful better understand its mission, its achievements, and the challenges that remain.

The 12th Plenary Assembly should therefore be more than a moment to outline new pastoral priorities. It could also become an appropriate occasion for the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences to publish a comprehensive report on its 54 years of service: the implementation of its resolutions, the pastoral initiatives that have borne fruit, the lessons learned, and the priorities for the years ahead. Such a report would not only document the work of the FABC but would also serve as a concrete expression of synodality through transparency, responsibility, and communion with the entire People of God.

Thien Phuoc