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!"
