River Above Asia Virtual Launch

The Pacific, one-third of the planet’s surface, is the largest climate determinant on Earth. Asia and Oceania share a common image in the ‘River Above’– the Pacific Ocean is the life, the river of Asia feeding all rivers, seasons and lives. The surface area and ocean currents absorb energy and generate thermals and other air flows, forming the weather patterns and events while sustaining their movement westward. This flow is life-giving and life-taking, especially as the climate is changing and resources are being exhausted. The welfare of the lands and peoples is bound to the welfare of the seas.

The network seeks to serve the dialogue of integral living so that broader collaboration is possible and breadth and integrity of the ecology and territory are maintained. The Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO) accompanies 16 small island states in Oceania, as well as Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) is on the ground in six countries spanning the Mekong River Basin, five countries in the Himalayas including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, four countries covering the Sundaland, and the island nations of Japan, Korea and Philippines (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines).

The network proposes four ways by which we can come together as people and as Church:

Dialogue, Discernment, Deeds, Desires.

Forests, Water and People. How do we honor the knowledge and wisdom of local communities and Indigenous Peoples in caring for Creation?

Interfaith dialogue is a way to connect with diverse peoples in the region taking part in the common mission of caring for Creation and neighbour. Catholics may only be 3% of the region’s population, yet being part of the local culture gives us an opportunity for accompanying and responding to the most in need.

Young people can take this forward with support from the Church. How do we accompany the youth towards a leadership grounded on their intrinsic integrity and vision for a sustainable future?

Speakers

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
Cardinal John Ribat for Oceania
Cardinal Oswald Gracias for Asia
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, FCBCO
Expectations from Indigenous Leaders: Joseph Moeono – Kolio, Oceania,
Expectations from Indigenous Leaders: Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Asia
Network Orientations: Pedro Walpole SJ

Discussions by representatives of the biomes
Representative from Oceania islands
Representative from Australia / Aotearoa New Zealand – Sr. Makareta Tawaroa
Representative from Papua New Guinea
Representative from South Asia – Sr. Nirmala Arul
Representative from archipelagic South East Asia – Ms. Yeni Kristanti
Representative from continental South East Asia – Ms. Rosalyn Kayah

Closing Remarks: Cardinal Peter Turkson

Event Details

Program: Virtual Launch of RAOEN
Date: 24 Nov 2020 (Tue)
Time: 3:00 p.m. (Philippine time)/ 7:00 p.m. (Fiji time) / 18:00 Sydney (AEDT)
Registration: You may register for this event here

This event will be live streamed on the River Above Asia Oceania Ecclesial Network Facebook page