Synod Week 2: Testimony from Malaysia
Asia is the world’s largest continent by land area and population and is diverse in its geography, demography, and political systems. Asia also has diverse cultures, religions, languages, and ethnicities. It is the birthplace and cradle of major world religions like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and others.
Though the systems of beliefs, values, and symbols vary from place to place, the human community’s interconnectedness draws the churches and the Asian peoples together. The Asian importance of being relational (with God, self, other human beings, and the cosmos), a characteristic of a synodal church, brings with it the unity of the human family and the unity of the peoples of Asia. Except for the Philippines and Timor Leste, Christianity remains a small minority in most parts of Asia. However, the vibrancy and richness of the individual traditions and cultures bring joy and life to the Church.
Source: Vatican News
