The Future of the Church in Asia: Archbishop Comensoli’s Insights
As the world closely follows Pope Francis’ 45th Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, Australian Archbishop Peter Andrew Comensoli of Melbourne emphasizes the significance of the region for the Church’s future.
During the interreligious event in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the Holy Father is currently visiting, Archbishop Comensoli shared his thoughts with Vatican News reporters Linda Bordoni and Deborah Castellano Lubov.
The highlight of the Apostolic Journey’s third day was an event at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in southeast Asia. Pope Francis, accompanied by the Grand Imam, Dr. Nasaruddin Umar, visited the “Tunnel of Friendship,” symbolizing the connection between different religious traditions.
In their Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024, the leaders emphasized promoting values common to all faiths to combat violence and promote peace and reconciliation.
Archbishop Comensoli stressed the importance of fostering fraternity among followers of different religions, especially in the context of recent history marked by conflict and violence.
When asked about the significance of the joint declaration signed by the Pope and the Grand Imam, Archbishop Comensoli drew parallels with similar gestures, such as the one in Abu Dhabi. He expressed hope that such initiatives would lead to tangible outcomes, fostering understanding and harmony among diverse communities.
Reflecting on Indonesia’s model of democracy and tolerance, Archbishop Comensoli praised the country’s efforts to embrace diversity. He noted that Indonesia’s example could inspire other nations in Southeast Asia to prioritize unity and coexistence.
As Australia increasingly looks towards Asia as a vital part of its future, Archbishop Comensoli acknowledged the changing demographics of the Church in Melbourne. With a growing number of Asian congregants, the local Church is embracing diverse cultural expressions of the Catholic faith.
Indeed, Archbishop Comensoli’s reflections offer a glimpse into the evolving landscape of Catholicism in a region poised to shape the future of the Church.
