“Asia is growing” is an oft-repeated phrase among the Franciscan community. Indeed, looking at the growth in vocations in India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, we can see the growing Church in Asia. Of course, there are also entities, especially in the more affluent nations, that are struggling with vocations.
With these mixed emotions and situations, 12 ministers (Provincials, Custos, Presidents) from the South Asia, Australia, and Oceania Conference (SAAOC) gathered in Singapore from 17 to 21 February 2025 for our annual meeting to discern where and how God wants us Franciscans to participate in His Kingdom today.
With us was Friar John Wong, our previous Custos and current Definitor General for Asia-Oceania, who supplemented our discussion with the global perspective and what the General Council is deliberating. Friar Gregorio Lino, Provincial Minister of the Manila Province and President of the East Asia Conference, also joined us to share insights and information from the eight entities in that Conference. The fraternal intentionality of the 15 friars gathered was palpable in the meeting room and even when roaming around Chinatown for souvenirs.
I personally drove the Ministers to and from the airport as far as possible. For me, these times of personal conversations are gold. Many of them intimated how wonderful the week had been, with much discussed and worked on—but most of all, the deep fraternal bond and connection they felt among the Ministers. This affirms our Franciscan philosophy that persons and process are precious even as we work toward the product. This is the special charism of Franciscan spirituality, and seeing it embodied in friars from culturally diverse backgrounds is a testimony of “how good and pleasant it is, brothers living in unity” (Ps 133:1).
In terms of outcomes, we have decided to work on several collaborative projects such as the Asian Franciscan Formators Training (AFFT), a programme for Ongoing Formation directors, certification for English as a second language, Italian language courses to prepare for studies in Rome, and a programme for future missionaries. We have committed to promoting greater support for the Directors of Safeguarding within Asia, and we endorsed support for Conference-level collaboration for New Forms, which we talked about in the January 2025 issue of St. Anthony’s Bread.
Friar Phillip Miscamble, a previous Parish Priest of our parish of St. Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok and current Provincial of Australia, shared with me that this meeting felt like a resurrection of our Conference. Things were already taking place, and the meeting felt energised and new. Even Friar John Wong said that we achieved more than he had expected!
For myself, the meeting was an experience of newness. I wonder if this feeling is a glimpse of the tremendous resurrection experience of Jesus for his disciples. In this Year of Hope, we are reminded to be open to the various “resurrection” experiences in our daily lives. God is always with us, but how are we connecting with Him in our hearts? Can we transcend the dreariness of some of our lives and see the God-spark within every person, every creature, every circumstance?
I wonder if this is the secret to the deep and unshakeable peace and joy that grounded St. Francis. May our journey this Lent into Easter ground us more in the risen Christ and bring us out of ourselves to the place where God dreams we will be.
From February 17th to 22nd, 2025, at the San Damiano Integration House in Baguio City (Philippines), the postulants of the Philippine Provinces of San Pedro Bautista and St. Anthony of Padua, and those of the Custody of St. Anthony (Singapore-Malaysia-Brunei) and the St. Francis of Assisi Foundation (Myanmar), were involved in a joint Psycho-Spiritual Integration Program for postulants.
The program, promoted by Br. Chris Tibong, OFM (S. Pedro Bautista), aims to strengthen the bond between the postulants of the Entities involved, promote personal bonds between the participants and focus on the understanding of the human person through the Human, Christian and Franciscan dimensions.
In the human dimension, participants had the opportunity to revisit their inner childhood, focusing on their wounds and how they cope with past experiences. The goal was to support their journey towards inner healing and liberation.
A deep sense of prayer and devotion rooted in Franciscan spirituality was observed throughout the program. As our Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi said, “do not extinguish the spirit of prayer” was an integral part of the program.
The Franciscan dimension focused on the themes of fraternity and minority. The program reminded participants that the foundation of our vocation to fraternal life lies in opening ourselves to others, accepting ourselves, and engaging in dialogue with both ourselves and others.
It was this spirit of brotherhood that inspired the creation of a joint program, allowing participants to grow in the life of fraternity. The meeting was made possible through the collaboration between the Philippine Provinces, the St. Francis of Assisi Foundation in Myanmar, and the Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
This program is a constant invitation to integrate the lessons into daily life, as participants embrace the Franciscan way of living.
Lights, shadows and collaborative commitments in South Asia, Australia and Oceania
The 12 leaders of the Conference of South Asia, Australia and Oceania (SAAOC) met in Singapore from 18 to 21 February. The meeting was chaired by the President of the SAAOC, Br. Derrick Yap, and was also attended by the President of the East Asia Conference (EAC), Br. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, and the General Definitor of the Franciscan Conferences of Asia and Oceania (FCAO), Br. John Wong. The meeting included an afternoon session with four members of the General Curia who were passing through Singapore, Br. Francisco Gomez Vargas and Br. Dennis Tayo of the General Secretariat for Mission and Evangelisation, and Br. Daniel Rodriguez Blanco and Br. Taucen Hotlan Girsang of the General Office for JPIC.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed the “lights” of the Conference, which include an overall growth in the number of new vocations, with solemn professions and ordinations in many Entities over the past year. Other major strengths in many SAAOC Entities include a strong sense of interculturality and healthy fraternal life, relationships and projects. The Ministers were grateful for the creativity in Franciscan life and ministry, with the development of new forms of evangelical presence and mission. The friars present also recognised that there is a healthy sense of mutual support and inter-Entity collaboration in the Conference, with excellent attendance at the two annual meetings of SAAOC Ministers, one in person and one online. Some positive results of inter-Entity and inter-Conference collaboration include the ongoing Asian Franciscan Formators Training (AFFT) course and the Franciscan Network in Asia for Peace and Integral Ecology.
Among the common “shadows” in the Conference is the negative aspect of interculturality, which sometimes manifests itself in regional or cultural divisions among the friars, in lack of trust between some friars and in different personal moral codes. Another challenge faced by many SAAOC Entities is that of formation to the realities of the 21st century, the lack of experienced formators and the gap between formators and friars in initial formation. It was also noted that some applicants to the Order have a very low level of academic qualification or faith background. Some ministers struggle with the lack of trust between some friars, the presence of disruptive friars and the lack of cooperation of some senior friars. It was recognised that in some Entities there is a lack of vocations and in many places there is a lack of qualified personnel to take on responsibilities. Many Entities face the challenge of a highly secularised society and a highly clericalised Church.
The decisions of this SAAOC meeting in February 2025 are as follows:
Formation & Studies 1) To support the renovation of the Centre for Evangelisation (Sampaloc, Philippines); 2) To develop a proposal for an inter-Conference certificate course in English as a Second Language (ESL) for FCAO friars preparing for future studies/ministries/missions; 3) To develop a proposal for a 6-month on-line Italian language course for FCAO friars preparing for future studies in Italy; 4) To continue to support and develop the Asian Franciscan Formators Training (AFFT), including a proposal for a new Ongoing Formation Programme for Directors of Ongoing Formation (PDOF) and update modules for current formators in the FCAO; 5) To ask the General Curia to update the Ratio Formationis Franciscanae to include more aspects of formation for lay friars.
Mission and Evangelisation 6) To convene the New Forms Working Group (NFWG) established at the New Forms Meeting in Vietnam in January 2025; 7) To promote the Online Primer Course (OPC) on Interculturality in Asia, Australia and Oceania; 8) to develop a proposal for a one-year programme for the preparation of missionaries after solemn profession.
JPIC 9) To continue to support the ongoing efforts of the Franciscan Network in Asia for peace and the integrity of creation.
Safeguarding of minors and vulnerable adults 10) To bring together all the FCAO Safeguarding Directors in a Safeguarding Support Team for ongoing formation, collaboration, mutual support and learning.
Administration 11) To produce updated job descriptions for all SAAOC roles – President, Vice-President, Bursar, Secretaries and Animators; 12) To review and update the SAAOC Statutes with reference to those of the EAC.
Proposed Franciscan Foundation for Asia 13) To support the current preparatory plans for the proposal to establish a Franciscan Foundation in Singapore to serve financial needs of projects in the FCAO Entities and beyond.
Malaysia, the collaboration between JPIC and the Creation Justice Committee
From 19 to 22 February 2025, the Church of St. Ann in Kuching (Diocese of Kuching, East Malaysia) welcomed three friars from the General Curia of Rome: Br. Daniel Rodriguez Blanco and Br. Taucen Girsang (respectively Director and Vice-Director of the General JPIC Office), and Br. Dennis Tayo (General Animator for Missions). Their visit was a moment of deep reflection, reinforcing the Franciscan call to justice, peace, and care for creation.
Their insights strengthened the mission of Creation Justice in Kuching, particularly in reducing plastic waste, promoting renewable energy, and supporting sustainable practices. This visit also fostered collaboration among friars in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, integrating ecological justice with social transformation.
A key focus was the Bunan Resilience Project, which seeks to restore indigenous children’s connection to their ancestral land, ensuring their right to heritage and dignity. The friars’ reflections opened hearts to the urgent call of caring for the poor and embracing integral ecology as a Gospel imperative.
Creation Justice and JPIC: A Shared Mission
This visit was an opportunity to deepen the collaboration between Creation Justice and JPIC, opening the eyes of Franciscan friars in Kuching to the interconnection between social justice and care for the earth. The Franciscan mission calls us to walk alongside the marginalized, advocating for both human dignity and environmental sustainability.
By working together, JPIC and Creation Justice can strengthen education and advocacy, empowering communities to protect their land and resources. The Bunan Resilience Project exemplifies how justice for the poor and justice for creation go hand in hand. Through shared initiatives, friars can become catalysts for ecological and social transformation, ensuring that care for creation remains a lived expression of the Gospel.
Taking care of the earth is an ongoing journey. Each action, no matter how small, is a step toward a just and sustainable world. Let us continue to walk this path together, responding to the cry of the earth and the poor with renewed commitment and hope.
PLENTONG, Johor: Nearly 500 parishioners gathered at the Church of St Joseph for a farewell luncheon honouring Fr Moses Yap, OFM and Fr Sixtus Pitah, OFM, December 15. The occasion also welcomed the new parish priest, Fr Matthew Bun, who began his service on January 1, 2025.
Fr Moses, who has served at the Church of St Joseph for nine years since his posting in 2015, and Fr Sixtus, who completed two terms at the parish, were bid farewell with deep gratitude and affection.
The event began with a parishioner’s angelic rendition of the Magnificat, a hymn of praise to God and Our Lady, followed by an opening prayer led by Fr Moses.
The church compound buzzed with activity as four buffet stations ensured smooth food distribution for the large crowd. A series of performances then added to the celebratory yet bittersweet atmosphere.
The Evangelical concert team, under Fr Moses’ guidance, performed The Children of God and Love, Peace, Joy, encouraging everyone to join in joyful praise.
The Mandarin choir and youth groups sang both praise-and-worship songs and soul-stirring hymns, expressing their love for God and appreciation for the priests.
English catechism students performed an Advent hymn, Await the Lord with Hope, and the Christmas carol, What Child Is This.
The Bahasa catechism children closed the performances with vibrant modern dances.
Speeches followed the musical tributes. PPC chairman Joseph Pong thanked Fr Moses for his tireless dedication to the parish, nurturing the spiritual growth of parishioners and gently correcting their errors. Mandarin Apostolate chairman Paul Ho, representing the Mandarin community, spoke emotionally about the priests’ contributions. He highlighted Fr Moses’ instrumental role in expanding the Mandarin-speaking Legion of Mary from one troop to six and establishing a new Bahasa-speaking troop — all by the grace of God and Our Lady’s intercession.
Both departing priests shared their reflections. Fr Moses likened missionary priests to clouds, moved by the wind according to God’s will, reminding everyone that priests serve different communities as needed. He emphasised the priest’s role in spiritually nourishing God’s flock. Fr Sixtus expressed his heartfelt gratitude to parishioners for their shared journey over the years.
Fr Moses warmly welcomed Fr Matthew Bun, expressing confidence in his leadership for the parish’s future.
The event concluded on an emotional note, as parishioners queued to take photos with the priests and offer their well wishes. Fr Moses, Fr Sixtus, and Fr Matthew gave their blessings to the congregation before departing.
The parish community will deeply miss both Franciscan friars, especially their teachings, spiritual guidance, and joyous celebration of the Feast of St Francis. Their legacy of encouraging parishioners to praise God for all His creations and embrace the peace and joy of a simple life will remain cherished.
