Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
May 29, 2002
'Asian and Pacific Presence: Harmony in Faith'
The following is a synopsis of the U.S. Catholic bishops' statement, which was approved November 2001.
Pope John Paul II begins his apostolic exhortation "Ecclesia in Asia" by saying, "The Church in Asia sings the praise of the `God of salvation' (Ps 68:20) for choosing to initiate his saving plan on Asian soil. ... In `the fullness of time' (Gal 4:4) he sent his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ the Savior, who took flesh as an Asian!" He points out that "because Jesus was born, lived, died and rose from the dead in the Holy Land, that small portions of Western Asia became a land of promise and hope for all mankind."
Many may be surprised to realize that Jesus was born in Asia. The Asian Synod of Bishops, the Congregations for the Evangelization of Peoples, and the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service commonly describe the continent of Asia as compromising Western Asia (or the Middle East), Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. This description is broader than the commonly held understanding of Asia as comprising South, Southeast and East Asia.
The history of the Church in Asia is as old as the Church herself, "From this land, through the preaching of the Gospel in the power of the Holy Sprit, the Church went forth to make `disciples of all nations'" ("Ecclesia in Asia" no. 1). Christianity spread from Jerusalem to Antioch to Rome and beyond. This profound history of mission and journey of faith is the inspiration and joy of the Asian and Pacific Catholic communities who have migrated to the United States. The precious gift of the Catholic faith is manifest in a splendid variety by reasons of origin, historical and cultural development, and diverse spiritual and liturgical traditions. Yet all are united in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ through Christian witness and solidarity.
From its inception, the United States of America has been enriched by the gifts brought to its shores from countries and cultures the world over. Likewise, the Catholic Church in the United States has been blessed by the traditions of Catholics from almost every nation on earth.
In 1997 the contributions of Asian and Pacific communities were presented during a consultation for the bishops' Committee on Migration, which stated: We strongly believe that this is a moment of special grace for the Catholic Church in the United States. As Asian Pacific communities, we bring a strong sense of family with a loving respect for the elderly and a profound and fervent religious faith. We contribute spirituality which is eastern and rooted in Asian Pacific cultures. We also seek to live in harmony with each other and with the whole of creation. We deepen and challenge our understanding of the meaning of the universal Church, enabling all of us to be a Church, which is complete and whole.
Harmony is central to the lives and cultures of Asian and Pacific communities. According to the bishops of Asia, "harmony embodies `the realities of order, well-being, justice and love as seen in human interaction. ... Harmony is not simply the absence of strife. ... The test of true harmony lies in acceptance of diversity and richness'" (FABC Conferences Documents).
Typically, harmony in the family binds generations together for the spiritual formation of the young. Culturally, the traditional arts of many Asian and Pacific societies link a person's actions with grace to society. Most of the time, harmony is characterized as well by a deep spirit of courtesy — a recognition that human solidarity derives from all persons' common relationship to God, who is the source of all life.
Asian and Pacific Catholic Americans and immigrants migrated with the experience and sensibilities of the great religions
and spiritual traditions of the world — Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism — together with Christianity. Their experience of the great religions and spiritual traditions teach them to live with a profound sense of the sacred, a holistic approach to life, salvation, and a spirituality adapted to their needs and a life giving vitality. Indeed the Holy Father said on April 19, 1998, "We want to listen to what the Spirit says to the churches of Asia that they may proclaim Christ in the context of Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism and all those currents of thought and life which were already rooted in Asia before the preaching of the Gospel arrived." Even though many Christian immigrants from Asia have suffered persecution in their homelands, we are mindful that their popular piety has roots in their Asian spiritual traditions, and how these values await their fulfillment in the revelation of Jesus Christ. Asian and Pacific immigrants bring popular devotions from their homelands and share them with fellow parishioners. Many in the United States sustain their faith through devotions to Mary and the saints. Asian and Pacific Catholics have a special love and affection for the Blessed Virgin Mary, revering her as their own mother and the Mother of Christ, and holding many vibrant celebrations in her honor. Throughout Asia are thousands of Marian sanctuaries and shrines where not only Catholic faithful gather, but also followers of other religious traditions. Muslims particularly honor Mary in the Koran. Laypersons are the primary evangelizers in many parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands, and the tradition lives on among Asian and Pacific leaders now in the United States. In parishes where they are invited, encouraged, and nurtured, they have been active pastoral ministers for many decades. Asian and Pacific lay leaders share their joy and talents in almost all avenues of lay ministry — the liturgy, hospitality, social services and parish and diocesan leadership. Many priests and religious sisters and brothers from Asia and the Pacific minister to the Church in the United States. Most not only serve their ethnic groups, but also are pastors and associates in parishes, and teachers and principals of Catholic schools throughout the country. In many instances, Asian and Pacific priests and religious have established parish religious education programs in their native languages. Volunteer teachers in these programs are usually from particular ethnic groups; for instance, Hmong, Samoan speaking and Tongan priests, religious and deacons often work with lay leaders in family evangelization. Part of the sad reality for minorities and many immigrants — among them Asian and Pacific Islanders — to the United States is racial discrimination and prejudice. Racially restrictive laws have ranged from those that affect all non-white populations, including Asian and Pacific groups to those that target specific Asian groups. Prior to the 1950s Asian immigrants were denied the right to become naturalized citizens — a right granted to all other immigrants to the United States. While legal provisions have changed, discriminatory actions by individuals and groups sadly perdure. Throughout history, Asians in the United States, native-born and immigrants, have been characterized as "permanent aliens," a race of foreigners given externally imposed labels and racial identities and only referred to in passing or even omitted altogether in classic immigration history. As bishops of the Church we acknowledge the contributions of all Asians and Pacific persons, especially their many creative initiatives that assist our ministries in our diocese and parishes. "They are lively in faith, full of the hope and vitality which only love can bring" ("Ecclesia in Asia" no. 45). We hope in this third millennium — with the yearning of the universal Church and the foresight of the Holy Father — to concretely strengthen our ties with our Asian and Pacific communities here in the United States and in their homelands. We will enable their voice to be heard among ourselves and the Church at large. We pray that the Church can be truly a sacrament of harmony and unity, a Church that is complete and whole. To read the statement in its entirety, visit the U.S. bishops' Web site at www.usccb.org. For more information on the statement, contact Al Hooper of the Social Concerns Office, 303-715-3220.
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