1.  INTRODUCTION

We rejoice in the recognition made by the Special Synod for Asia of the role of renewal movements "in building communities, in providing opportunities for a more intimate experience of God through faith and the sacraments and in fostering conversion of life" (Ecclesia in Asia n.25).

Likewise, we rejoice that "the Synod Fathers underlined the value of basic ecclesial communities as an effective way of promoting communion and participation in parishes and Dioceses, and as a genuine force for evangelization" (Ecclesia in Asia n.25).

2.  HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP INPUTS

The Holy Spirit impels the churches and Christian communities of this continent to move forward in these two areas, which indicate a new way of being Church in Asia. For this to be achieved more effectively we would like to share the following observations.

(1)  There are many renewal movements that are active in the continent, the "Charismatic movement " being only one of them. To make room for all of them, some pastors prefer to designate what is happening as a "renewal of Christian life in and through the power of the Holy Spirit." What all these renewal movements should emphasize is the personal encounter of people with God, which is sometimes referred to as a "baptism in the Spirit" in the context of a "life in the Spirit seminar." It is the interior substance of the renewal that should be emphasized rather than the external form.

(2)  We urge the different renewal movements to identify their special charisms or the particular concerns of Church life that they wish to address so that pastors may more easily know what to expect from them and how they can collaborate with other groups or associations.  While all renewal movements have the right to keep their identity,  they should take to heart the guideline set down by Ecclesia in Asia that they "should offer their support to the local church and not present themselves as alternatives to Diocesan structures and parish life" (n.25). Elitism or a superiority complex should be avoided at all cost. Instead, in the churches and communities of Asia, the Asian value of harmony should prevail.

(3)  The Word of God is to be given a central place in both renewal movements and Basic Ecclesial Communities. Care must be taken that Bible study will not only be an intellectual exercise but something that is enriched by life experiences and directed towards day to day Christian living. All renewal movements in the the Church are to give importance to the Petrine and Marian dimensions of Christian life, and are never to forget that the Eucharist is the source and apex of Christian life.
 
 (4)  Pastors alone will not be able to renew Churches and communities;  they need the laity just as the laity need them. Seminarians and religious men and women in their years of formation are to get acquainted with the renewal movements, preferably  from within

(5)  Movements that have obtained Church approval should not be regarded with suspicion even when imperfections are observed, but should be guided and encouraged by the Pastors, so that “they may be well integrated into the life and mission of the parish and Diocese.” (Ecclesia in Asia n.25)  They should keep in mind the “Criteria for Ecclesiality,” enunciated in the Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, no.30.

(6)  Basic Ecclesial Communities are to be schools of Christian discipleship, which should flow from  the personal conversion of people who have been renewed.  In places where Christians live with people of other faiths, these communities should  collaborate with them to form basic human communities.

(7)  As for the renewal movements, so also for Basic Ecclesial Communities,  seminarians and religious men and women under formation are to be prepared by actual participation in basic ecclesial community life.  Much importance is to be given to the initial and on-going formation of all who will have positions of responsibility in the communities, from the Pastor to his assistants to lay ministers and lay leaders.

(1)  Organize a Secretariat under one of the Offices of FABC, that will promote (a) exchanges between the many renewal movements and (b) the availability of their services to the Churches and communities.  As initial project, the Secretariat is to organize an Asian congress of the renewal movements after the example of the world congress held in Rome in 1998. Thereafter, congresses could be held periodically.

(2)  Circulate a list of Asian Resource Persons and Resource Materials.

(3)  Circulate the document of the Pontificium Consilium pro Laicis: Atti del Congresso mondiale dei movimenti ecclesiali, Roma, 27-29 Maggio 1998, "I movimenti nella Chiesa."

(4)  Promote the publication or circulation of "success stories" and personal testimonies coming from renewal movements and Basic Ecclesial Communities.

(5)  Promote the wider circulation of the Pope's statements regarding the renewal movements and the Basic Ecclesial Communities in Redemptoris Missio, in the May 1998 Congress of Renewal Movements, and in Ecclesia in Asia.

(6)  Catholic Universities, Colleges and schools are to urge Professors, Students, administrators and personnel in their campus to become active in renewal movements and to live in small communities.

(7)  Basic Ecclesial Communities in Asia could link-up with worldwide Cooperative Movement to establish and manage faith-based cooperatives in both rural and urban areas; this should remedy, to some extent, the evils of globalisation.

(8)  Basic Ecclesial Communities are encouraged to include in their programs fellowship and recreational activities that foster communion.