East Asia Oceania (EAO) Region Meeting Discusses Synodality in Action
Manila City, Philippines (Dec 2023) – Six (6) months after the successful regional congress in Hongkong, the Provincial Coordinators and some Delegates of the East Asia Oceania (EAO) met online on December 10, 2023 via MSTeams. The first hour of the meeting was dedicated to the Formation Talk of the EAO World Councillor Meldy Benitez-Dometita on the topic “ASC Synodality in Action” which aimed to provide practical pointers as inspired from the talk on Synodality by the World Council during the regional congress in May 2023. The very rich sharing among the meeting participants followed where there was conviction that Synodality was the orientation of Salesian Cooperators hence has been practiced at all levels because the Founder himself St. John Bosco was a model of collaboration specifically his works for the young during his time. The presence of Salesian Cooperators in the parishes and dioceses will be intensified to reflect the Salesian style of synodality specifically the Sacramental presence. Fr. Matthew, SDB of Hongkong expressed that there may be challenges in the journeying together in view of cultural differences but with prayers we can.
The 2nd and last hour of the online meeting was dedicated to discuss updates from the respective Province on their take away from the Regional Congress in Hongkong and activities for the 3-year preparation of 150th foundation; and finally FMA Regional Delegate, Sr. Celia Tacujan, FMA briefly shared the proposed Regional Consulta and Regional Secretariat for the advanced information and anticipation of roll out by the World Council. Updates from the Provinces reportedly on going works on the choice for willing Salesian Cooperators who are willing to do video testimony. Online presence during the meeting were captured in screenshot photo. #