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On the Care of Creation: A Call to Ecological Conversion
FABC Pastoral Letter to the Local Churches in Asia
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Peace and blessings to you all.
We write to you, as shepherds of the Church in Asia, a land of rich cultures, ancient traditions, and deep faith. In this cradle of human and spiritual diversity, the Word of God continues to offer hope to many facing trials and challenges.
Today, we reflect on the urgency of responding to the ecological crisis in our time. On the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', a prophetic call for humanity to rediscover its relationship with Creation, God, and one another, we renew our commitment to care for our common home. This message is further deepened by Pope Francis' Laudate Deum, which calls for decisive action to safeguard the Earth for future generations.
As we continue to celebrate the Jubilee of Hope 2025, we are inspired by the words of St Paul to the Romans, that "…afflictions produce endurance, and endurance proves character, and proven character hope. And hope does not disappoint…" (Rom 5:5). Christian hope calls us to engage actively in the restoration of Creation and the healing of the wounds of our world. This letter is an invitation to recognise the ecological sufferings of our time—not as reasons to despair, but as an invitation to endurance, action, and hope rooted in Christ.
I. The Afflictions of Our Common Home
Across Asia, we see Creation groaning under the weight of human indifference, abuse, and exploitation. The consequences are already visible and scientifically attested:
• Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss: The rainforests of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea,
Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines are being devastated, displacing indigenous communities and threatening biodiversity. These forests, vital for the survival of the planet, are under immense pressure from illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and mining.
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Journeying Together to the Holy Altar Anchored in the Hope of Christ
On March 29, 2025, ten new priests will be ordained for the Archdiocese of Bombay by His Grace, Archbishop John Rodrigues. Here are their stories – how the Lord called them and led them to a life of service in His Vineyard.
Dn Anand Patil
Parents: Late Mr Gabriel Patil and Late Mrs Assav Patil
Parish: St Andrew Church, Dongri Chowk
Motto: "I have called you by name,you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)
These words from Isaiah 43:1 became the turning point in my life.
From my childhood, I was actively involved in various Church activities. I participated in Sunday School, served as an altar server, was part of the Youth ministry, an SCC animator, a choir member, and even a Parish Council member.
In spite of being so involved in Church life, my dreams were all secular. I wanted to earn a lot of money and provide my family with a comfortable life.
As the years passed, my mother expressed her desire for me to get married and settle down. Friends and relatives introduced me to several potential matches, but I wasn't interested. I was a bit lost. I found that none of this gave me happiness. One day, I shared my struggles with a friend, and he encouraged me to turn to God through the intercession of St Anthony. I began praying the St Anthony Novena, and started praying the Rosary with my family and attending daily Mass.
Dn Armstrong Joseph Britto
Parents: Late Mr Arulappan and Mrs Lourdu Mary
Parish: St Anthony Church, Uttarahalli, Bangalore
Motto: "Crucified as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)
"The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
The main reason that led me to join the seminary is an incident that happened when I was in Class 6, at the age of 12. I was studying in a Bangalore diocesan boarding school very close to NBCLC. Next to our hostel was a cemetery. One day, some of us boys heard the cry of a small baby. Somehow, we managed to climb over the wall, and entering the cemetery, found a number of dogs gathered around a newborn baby lying there. Even its umbilical cord was intact. I carried the baby nearly half a kilometre in my arms, and reaching the hostel, showed it to an Italian nun, Sr Maria.
When I picked up the baby, it was alive; but by the time I reached the hostel, the baby was dead. I was in shock for more than a week. Later, Sr Maria explained why the newborn baby was left in the cemetery, and advised me that if you really wish to change this in the future, you must work for it. This incident sowed a seed within me and drew me to the priesthood.
Dn Ashton Pinto
Parents: Mr Abden Pinto and Mrs Astrid Pinto
Parish: Holy Magi Church, Gorai
Motto: Do everything in love
My journey towards the priesthood has been one of challenge, grace and growth. Looking back, I can see how God has been leading me to serve His people. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the priesthood would be my calling, yet through prayer, guidance, and personal experiences, I have come to recognise it as God's invitation – the path He is calling me to follow.
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a pilot. I was fascinated by airplanes and aviation, and I spent years preparing myself for that journey. However, life took unexpected turns, and I found myself pursuing a degree in B.Sc. (I.T.). It was during my second year of studies that I first felt the call to the priesthood in a quiet and unexpected way. There was no dramatic moment; just a growing sense that God was asking something more of me. During those years, I spent many hours in personal prayer, attending Retreats, and serving in the Church.
Dn Jewlyn Fialho
Parents: Mr Clarence Fialho and Mrs Beatrice Fialho
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kalyan (W)
Motto: A Call to Love, A Life to Serve
In the Upper Room, Jesus knelt down and washed the feet of His disciples. It wasn't just a kind gesture; it was a bold message – no one is too small to be loved and no act of service is beneath us. This humble, selfless act of love has deeply impacted my heart.
My journey to the priesthood was anything but ordinary. Like many, I chased success, believing it would bring happiness. As an only child, I put all my energy into building a career in Hotel Management. My hard work paid off, and I landed a role at the prestigious Palm Jumeirah. I traveled, enjoyed the best the world had to offer, and lived a life many only dream of. Yet, amidst the luxury, I felt an emptiness I couldn't ignore.
Dn Karthick G.
Parents: (Late) Mr Stephen Gurusamy and (Late) Mrs Leema Rose
Parish: St Sebastian Church, Sadayampalayam, Salem, Tamil Nadu.
Motto: "To share His Immeasurable Love"
If God calls someone, He will indeed lead him or her wherever He wants us to go. As it is written in Proverbs 16:9, "The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." This truth resonates deeply with my own vocation story.
My journey towards discerning my vocation is a story close to my heart. It began during my catechism classes, where I learned the importance of altar service. While I was not initially chosen as an altar server, I assisted the sacristan in preparing for Mass, finding fulfilment in contributing in this way. Finally, when no one else was available, I was asked to serve. That first experience ignited a spark within me. Serving at the altar brought an inexplicable joy, a profound sense of being touched by God.
Dn Kenneth Pinto
Parents: Mr Lancelot and Mrs Lorna Pinto
Parish: St Pius X Church, Mulund
Motto: To be a mirror that reflects Christ (2 Cor 3:18)
From early childhood, I felt called to the priesthood. However, as I grew, I realised I could serve God in other ways. I immersed myself in Church activities, finding joy in service; yet, the call to the priesthood remained. When the time came to make a life-defining decision, I entered a process of discernment. Lacking absolute clarity, I reflected on how the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation had nourished me. I felt challenged by God to become an ordained minister and offer these Sacraments to others.
Throughout my discernment, God shaped my heart and will through my family, friends, clergy, strangers, and life's highs and lows. The Church teaches in Lumen Gentium 11 that the family is the "domestic church," where parents foster faith and vocations. My family lived this teaching, providing the fertile ground for my vocation.
Dn Melvyn Bonaventure John Colaco
Parents: (Late) Mr John Colaco and Mrs Philomena Colaco
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Orlem, Malad West
Motto: "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:5)
To have a vocation means to discover that life has a meaning. A vocation gives life a direction, a powerful energy to reach out to new horizons. I believe that the most common crisis among young people today is not their addiction to drugs or to alcohol, or their confusion in the area of sexuality, but rather, the lack of meaning, direction, and motivation in their lives. They feel tempted to enjoy to the full only the present moment, to experience moments of strong emotions, or to give in to a life of indifference. - Fr Pascual Chavez, SDB
Dn Noel D'Souza
Parents: Mr Albert D'Souza and Mrs Cynthia D'Souza
Parish: St Francis Xavier Church, Kanjur Marg East
I started discerning my vocation when my brother, Joel, joined the Bombay Jesuits. I had never thought of any vocation seriously. Whether it was education or career, I had just gone with the flow, but I didn't want to do the same for the most important decision of my life. I was interested in both marriage and priesthood. I felt that God would call me into marriage, because one son from the family had already joined a religious order. We are only two children in our family.
To my dismay, yes, to my utter dismay, God called me to the priesthood! I wasn't ready for it. In the animé Avatar: The Last Airbender, General Iroh confronts his nephew, Prince Zuko with two questions: Who are you, and what do you want? My answer #1: A Priest. Answer #2: Priesthood, and also many other things. Thus, the struggle with God began.
Dn Pretam Ripan Haruk
Parents: Mr Ripan Haruk and Mrs Diana Haruk
Parish: Our Lady of the Sea Church, Uttan
Motto: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)
I was raised in a deeply religious family. My parents are devout Catholics who instilled in me the importance of prayer and regular participation in church activities. They took me to Mass consistently, and our home environment was always centered around faith. This strong foundation made the idea of serving God feel natural to me from an early age.
In addition to my family's influence, my childhood friends also played a significant role in my spiritual journey. I was fortunate to have friends who were equally devoted to the Church. We would often participate in church activities together, and even our outings reflected our faith.
Dn Rolwyn Lobo
Parents: Mr Ronald Lobo and Mrs Sunita Lobo
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Orlem, Malad West
Motto: Domine, Non Nisi Te (Lord, nothing but You)
From a young age, the Church was an integral part of my life. My parents took me to Mass not just on Sundays but often on weekdays, as well. When I was five or six years old, whenever someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same: "I want to be a priest." But my reasoning was rather amusing—I noticed that the priest at the altar consumed the large host while giving the congregation the smaller ones. I wanted to be a priest so that I, too, could consume the big host!
Hope for Vocations: The Unseen Power of the Domestic Church
Lavoisier Fernandes
Each month, Pope Francis invites us to pray for a specific intention. In February this year, his focus was on Vocations to the priesthood and religious life, urging prayers for young people discerning their call to serve Christ's mission.
As we consider the global decline in vocations, it becomes essential to explore the underlying causes.
A Growing Church; Fewer Vocations!
According to Church statistics, the global Catholic population continues to grow, especially in Africa and Asia. However, priestly vocations are declining worldwide, except in these regions. As the number of priests decreases, the average number of Catholics per priest has risen to 3,373. Women religious are also declining.
So why are vocations flourishing in some parts of the world, but not in others?
Is Vatican II Responsible for the Decline in Vocations?
The simple answer is No, as data from Africa and Asia doesn't support that claim.
A common belief among some well-intentioned Catholics is that the crisis in vocations is linked to the changes introduced by Vatican II—such as priests facing the congregation, the use of vernacular languages instead of Latin, inter-religious dialogue, perceived lack of reverence in the Novus Ordo (Ordinary Form of the Mass), reception of Holy communion on the hand, the inclusion of female altar servers and many more.
They argue that these reforms have watered down the faith, leading to a decline in religious vocations, scandals within the Church, and ineffective preaching of the Gospel.
Fourth Sunday in Lent: Reconciliation and Rejoicing
Bob Kondrath
There are two sets of readings for this Fourth Sunday of Lent. One set is from the Year "C" Cycle. The other is from the "A" Cycle, and is used particularly when the Second Scrutiny Rites are celebrated with the RCIA.
In advertisements, have you noticed the words "new" and "improved"? Ads never say, "new but worse than before." Nor do they say, "new box, but same old product." When something is new, it implies it should be better than before, or improved. The same is true in our spiritual life. Lent, as both sets of readings for today present, is a time of Newness and Improvement. We are asked to be renewed and to improve our own lives personally and communally. Lent (or "Spring") is a time when the old, dead experiences of our spiritual "winter" are given new life. But new spiritual life requires an improvement on our part. We cannot be the same old persons we have been. It takes work. It means we have to do spring cleaning in our lives. But the results of being willing to change and improve will lead to newness in ourselves, in our relationship with others, and in our relationship to GOD. That should also make us want to "Rejoice!"
The Fourth Sunday in Lent is Laetare Sunday. The Latin word, laetare, means "to rejoice." We are more than halfway through Lent, and our readings give us something about which we can rejoice. In the First Reading, the Israelites have finally (after forty years) made it into the Promised Land. The Responsorial Psalm challenges us to "taste and see the goodness of the LORD." In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, St Paul reminds his readers that they are new, and therefore should be improved, and that should lead to rejoicing. The Gospel presents the account of the Prodigal Son for whom the excessively loving parent throws a joy-filled party.
Suffering and Faith
Fr Anil Rego
In life, we often wonder why things happen the way they do. Why do innocent people suffer? Why is there sickness and disease? Why do natural disasters like floods and earthquakes claim so many lives? Why do the wicked and corrupt seem to prosper? And perhaps most troubling, why does God sometimes seem absent or silent?
It is in moments like these that faith is truly tested.
Abraham, our father in faith, faced immense challenges. He could not always understand the events unfolding in his life, let alone control them. Yet, we are told that he did not question God; he simply submitted to His will.
God first commanded Abraham to leave his homeland, Ur (present-day Iraq), and journey to an unknown land—Canaan (present-day Israel). God promised to make him a great nation and bless him abundantly (Genesis 12:1-2). At the time, Abraham was well-established in Ur, owning vast lands, cattle, and many servants. Leaving everything behind to move to a foreign land must have been heartbreaking. Yet, Abraham obeyed. He journeyed to Canaan, a land known for its fertility, where agriculture remains one of the largest occupations today. Those who have visited the Holy Land can attest to its vast stretches of cultivated land. This prosperity has made the land highly contested, leading to conflicts that persist even today.
Lent is a journey that goes Beyond Calvary
Fr. John M. Froz, S.J.
Lent is our journey with Jesus from Jerusalem to Calvary. However, Calvary is not the final destination of our Lenten path. Our true goal is to reach the Resurrection of Christ and to live out that resurrection in our daily lives. Pope Francis reminds us: "Lent is our personal journey of hope. It is a journey toward the risen Jesus—a period of repentance and mortification, not as an end in itself, but as a means of rising with Christ. Through Lent, we renew our baptismal identity, and are reborn 'of the Spirit' through the love of God."
Lent is a spiritual journey. Yet, this journey is not confined to the Lenten season alone; it is the pilgrimage of our entire lives. We are called to walk together towards the Cross. Today, this is our mission: to experience the risen Christ through the Cross.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus gives us a profound example of mercy, demonstrating His willingness to suffer for others. In His agony, He cries out from the depths of His heart: "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me." (Mt 26:39)
In this moment, Jesus expresses human uncertainty, a deep longing to avoid suffering. Yet, He immediately surrenders to the will of the Father: "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt." This act of complete surrender is the perfect model for us.
Living with the one forgiven
Christopher Mendonca
The Elder Brother of the Prodigal Son: (A Soliloquy)
It is a year now since my brother returned home,
having wasted his inheritance
on wine, women and riotous living.
I recall my anger at my Father's attitude at the time,
welcoming him home as if nothing had ever happened.
I remember his reassuring words to me,
and how, very reluctantly, I had forgiven him too…
or so I thought.
He seemed thoroughly at ease with my father,
but as far as I was concerned, our sibling relationship,
though restored, seemed distant, though accepting.
There was something missing in our relationship,
and I wondered what I needed to do.
My father never once referred to his past misdemeanours,
and my brother seemed to blossom in this environment.
As a person, I watched him grow in age and wisdom,
finding depth in the quality of his friendships,
which somehow seemed to elude me.
My father, for his part, never said a word,
though I could tell he was sad.
It slowly began to dawn on me
that my supposed 'forgiveness' of my brother
had been a subtle assertion of my self-righteousness.
+ lots More...