Vatican Cardinal here for Seminar
for Asian Bishops’ Conferences, Feb. 7-11

Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) of the Vatican, arrives today (February 6) to preside at the Seminar for Asian Bishops’ Conferences on February 7-11, at the Pius XII Catholic Center.

The Seminar is being organized by the PCPCU, the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through its Episcopal Commission on Ecumenical Affairs headed by Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias.

The theme for this Seminar, which is the second of two called by the Council to be held in Asia, is “The Search for Christian Unity, Where We Stand Today.” The first seminar was held in Korea in July last year.

Cardinal Kasper, an expert in the field of Ecumenism, an accomplished theologian and author of many books and articles, will lead the roster of speakers which includes Msgr. Juan Usma of the PCPCU, Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, and Fr. Thomas Michel.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Vidal will be one of the 100 participants, which include Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, the bishops of Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

The two Asian seminars were planned in response to a concern raised in the last plenary of the PCPCU that support must be given at the local level to those working in the field of ecumenism, to develop a pastoral response to new challenges, including the growth of new religious movements, such as Pentecostal, Evangelical and Charismatic communities.

Prior to the Seminar, Cardinal Kasper will meet with the seminarians and priests of the San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex on February 7. He will open the seminar on February 8 with the presentation: “Ut Unum Sint and Catholic Principles of Ecumenism: Implications for Churches in Asia.” ##