Bangkok, July 23 to 25, 2018: Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was one of the nine select experts invited to a “Consultation on Helping Priests Distress” organized by the Office of Clergy of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).
The Consultation was held at the Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Bangkok on 23-25 July, 2018.
The Consultation meetings were facilitated by Most Rev. Mylo Vergara, Bishop of Pasig, Philippines and the Chairman of the FABC Office of Clergy. He was assisted by Fr. Philip Lazatin SDB, Ex. Secretary of the FABC Office of Clergy. Present and participating in the discussions was also Most Rev. Buenaventura Farmadico, Bishop of San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines and Chair of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the Philippines.
There were four experts from the Philippines, three from India and two from Thailand.
Bishop Mylo Vergara explained the rationale for the consultation: Creation of a pan-Asian organization for information sharing, liaison with church leadership and synergy-creation out of best practices in regard to assisting priests in distress.
Bishop Mylo invited the participants to introduce themselves and then to share their “Best Practices” in helping priests in distress. This led to discussion of common problems and issues and actions that need to be taken in the Asian Context.
Based on these discussions, the group came up with four proposals that will be submitted to the Central Committee of the FABC and to the Chairs of the regional Conference of Bishops.
(Fr. Jose)