Situation

        In the fragile cultures of marginalised peoples, both rural and urban, we encounter human integrity at its most pristine. And yet, tribal values are fragmenting in the clash with global capitalism. Market Globalization is the final triumph of economics over human culture, the victory of the market over humanism.

        It would seem that in many of our Churches, we have joined the mainstream of society and been strongly influenced accepting globalized values without much resistance (more is better, big is better, fast is better , beautiful is better, youthful is better....) in the name of efficiency, high profile and being with the people. In this process we have tended to neglect the more basic human values of traditional, rural communities: solidarity, concern with each other in sharing resources and harmony with nature.

        Inter-communal conflict revolves around economic injustice and political authoritarianism among marginalised peoples whose root-identities are fragmenting. As traditions weaken, so only those values we actively opt for and promote will flourish.

        There is at the moment reasonably good relationships among religious leaders. However, there are no grass-roots inter-religious projects based on human values which are universally accepted. We need to come together, think together and work together to create an atmosphere of informality and genuine personal friendships between various religious groups.

Vision

        To survive the commodification of society and the reduction of human values to the utilitarian, the Church needs to re-position itself not so much as a religious institution with a set of prescribed laws and regulations, but rather as a spiritual movement, a dynamic expression of the deepest values within the human heart and Asian cultures. In our life and work, we need to draw out - and draw together - the core, inspirational values of the Gospel and of marginalised peoples.

        We need to become inter-religious and human communities working together for human causes and thus appreciating the religious beliefs and sentiments of one another, thus breaking down the walls of suspicion, prejudice and conflicts and so better serving human needs.

        We need to become learning communities based on respect for basic human dignity, and the development of the power to reflect critically on the self, the situation and future growth and take responsibility for this growth.

Recommendations

        1. Formation in Values: (Linked to Group No.13 “Education & Imparting Christian Values”)
That people learn to reflect critically on formation programmes within the Parish (BECs) using three level of evaluation, namely the material, the intellectual and the spiritual.

        2. Tribal Values in a Globalized World: (Linked to Groups No.6 “Migrant Workers & Refugees”; No.7 “Indigenous/Tribal Peoples”; No.16 “Justice & Peace”)  That Dioceses consistently support those working for greater freedom, democracy and a compassionate humanity, in particular those participating in movements where a majority are followers of other faith-traditions (inter-faith humanism).

        3. Human Values and Inter-religious Collaboration: (Linked to Group No.11 Interreligious Dialogue)
That we stress common human values in all branches of catechesis and other formation programmes.

       “... and the Word was made flesh” (Jn 1:14). God, in Christ, through his humanity, sends the Spirit to work in human realities.
.
END