Asian Church Leader Urges Deeper Ecumenical Commitment Rooted in Synodality

Newsroom (03/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Synodality and ecumenism must be understood as inseparable dimensions of the Church’s life and mission, a senior figure in the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) has said, urging Christians across Asia to deepen their commitment to unity through dialogue, reconciliation, and shared witness.

Retired Indian Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado, chairman of the FABC Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, delivered the message during a continental ecumenical gathering in Chiang Mai. Addressing representatives of various Christian denominations, he called for renewed efforts among churches to journey together toward visible unity.

The gathering, titled “Ecumenism in Asia: Emerging Ecclesial and Ecumenical Landscapes,” was held at Payap University from May 31 to June 3 and organized by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), a pan-Asian ecumenical body. Machado delivered the second thematic address, focusing on the theme “Synodality and Ecumenism: Ecclesial Unity for Effective Witness in Asia.”

A Shared Christian Journey

Central to Machado’s address was the conviction that synodality and ecumenism are not parallel or optional processes, but interconnected pathways shaping the Church’s mission.

“The path of synodality is and must be ecumenical, just as the ecumenical path is synodal,” he said.

He described both as dimensions of a shared Christian journey, grounded in the common experience of faith and calling for deeper collaboration among churches. His remarks drew on reflections from the Catholic Church’s Synod on Synodality and its 2024 Final Document.

Machado pointed to the participation of delegates from diverse Christian traditions in the Synodal Assembly as a concrete sign of growing cooperation. This development, he noted, reflects increasing openness to mutual learning and shared witness among different ecclesial communities.

Baptism as the Foundation of Unity

The archbishop underscored baptism as the theological foundation underpinning both synodality and ecumenism. According to him, the recognition of a shared baptismal identity naturally leads Christians toward unity.

“Since all Christians share one baptismal identity, the synodal journey naturally directs the Church toward greater Christian unity,” he explained.

This emphasis aligns synodal practice with ecumenical goals, framing unity not as a future aspiration alone, but as a present responsibility rooted in sacramental life.

Mission-Oriented Synodality

Machado also stressed that synodality is fundamentally oriented toward mission rather than being an end in itself. He described authentic synodal life as marked by prayerful discernment, attentive listening, humility, and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

These qualities, he said, enable the Church to engage more effectively in proclaiming the Gospel. At the same time, they foster deeper relationships among Christian communities, reinforcing the ecumenical dimension of the Church’s mission.

Mutually Reinforcing Paths

Addressing the relationship between synodality and ecumenism, Machado characterized them as mutually reinforcing journeys. Both are rooted in baptismal grace and expressed through concrete practices such as prayer, dialogue, friendship, and service.

He argued that these shared efforts strengthen Christian unity and help heal historical divisions among churches. Through collaboration in witness and mission, Christians can more effectively embody the Gospel message.

A Pressing Need in Asia

The call for unity carries particular urgency in the Asian context, Machado emphasized. In a region marked by vast religious and cultural diversity, divisions among Christians can undermine the credibility of their witness.

“We Christians in Asia cannot afford to be divided in the face of the region’s religious and cultural diversity and the pressing need to foster stronger bonds of fraternity among Christians,” he insisted.

He urged Christians to respond by cultivating greater solidarity and working together in service of society.

Witness Through Service and Dialogue

Machado encouraged Asian Christians to express their faith through concrete actions, including service to others, promotion of human dignity, and harmonious coexistence with neighbors. These efforts, he said, are essential for building trust and fostering unity both within the Christian community and beyond it.

He also highlighted the importance of faithful proclamation of Christ, combined with a willingness to engage in dialogue across denominational lines.

Progress Amid Differences

While acknowledging that theological differences persist among churches, Machado expressed gratitude for the progress made through decades of ecumenical dialogue in Asia. He noted that sustained collaboration has already strengthened relationships and created new opportunities for joint witness.

His address concluded with a hopeful outlook, emphasizing that continued commitment to synodality and ecumenism can lead to deeper unity and a more credible Christian presence in Asia.

As churches across the continent navigate evolving social and ecclesial landscapes, Machado’s message underscored a clear imperative: unity, grounded in shared faith and expressed through common action, remains essential for fulfilling the Church’s mission.

• Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News