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Faith-based organizations across Asia are mobilizing around Turn Debt Into Hope, a global campaign calling for debt cancellation, climate justice, and an end to development models that deepen ecological harm. Anchored in the Jubilee 2025 process, the campaign argues that unsustainable debt and environmental destruction are structurally linked—and that countries most affected by climate change should not be forced to finance their own survival.
Support for the campaign has steadily grown in the region. Caritas organizations from the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh, Timor Leste, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and CHARIS Singapore have formally signed the petition. Their institutional endorsements are reinforced by individual signatories from the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, reflecting grassroots engagement alongside organizational leadership.
The campaign has also drawn backing from prominent environmental advocates. Four Asian recipients of the Goldman Environmental Prize - Batmunkh Luvsandash of Mongolia (2025), Delima Silalahi of Indonesia (2023), Alok Shukla of India (2024), and Fr. Edwin Gariguez of the Philippines (2012) - have endorsed the petition. Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros is likewise among the signatories, signaling growing political attention to the issue.
Ecclesial support has expanded in parallel. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, together with priests and bishops from India, Japan, Bhutan, Vietnam, and Thailand have aligned themselves with the campaign’s core demands. At the regional level, the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and its Office for Human Development / Commission on Climate Change and Development (FABC–OHD/CCD) have consistently advanced calls for the recognition of ecological debt and just climate finance.
The theological and pastoral dimensions of the campaign were highlighted during The Great Pilgrimage of Hope Conference: Integral Ecology in Laudato Si’ in Asia, held in Penang, Malaysia, from November 27–30, 2025. In his presentation, Bishop Gerardo A. Alminaza of San Carlos, Philippines, situated debt justice within the broader realities facing Asia: worsening climate impacts, expanding extractive industries, and persistent governance failures that disproportionately affect the poor.
Alminaza emphasized that ecological debt cannot be addressed through technical solutions alone. Drawing on Laudato Si’ and Asian spiritual traditions, he argued that environmental destruction is rooted in moral failure—manifested in corruption, extractivism, and financial systems that externalize ecological costs while indebting vulnerable communities. He underscored the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), calling on historical polluters and wealthy economies to assume greater responsibility for climate finance, loss and damage, and reparative action.
At its core, Turn Debt Into Hope is advancing a clear set of demands: the cancellation of unjust and unsustainable debts, an end to climate loans that deepen dependency, and the redirection of financial systems toward ecological restoration and social protection. For faith-based institutions, the campaign also raises internal questions. It challenges churches in Asia to align advocacy with practice—through fossil-fuel divestment, ethical financing, and the refusal of funding tied to extractive and destructive industries.
As the campaign moves forward, its impact will be measured not only by signatures gathered but by the degree to which Asian churches translate moral positions into institutional reform. In pressing for debt justice, Turn Debt Into Hope is testing whether the Church in Asia can move from solidarity statements to structural accountability—at a time when ecological and economic pressures leave little room for delay.
Jing Rey Henderson
Let's #turndebtintohope one signature at a time.
Merciful Father, you are refuge and strength of all who suffer. We leave up to you those afflicted by natural disaster and human conflicts, those who have lost homes, loved ones and hope in the face of calamity. Embrace them with your love, heal their broken hearts, and restore their spirit. Inspire us to stand in solidarity with them, empowering their community to rebuild with dignity and courage.
We pray for the leaders and authorities in all countries to bring harmony where there is division, justice where there is oppression, and hope where there is despair. Grant them wisdom to seek dialogue, strength to uphold truth, and compassion to support people. May their work reflect Your call to be peacemakers, fostering unity and empowering community to shape our future of justice and love.
Loving Father, you call us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We pray for humanitarian aid workers who risk their lives to bring relief and hope to those in crisis and living in IDP camps. Protect our humanitarian workers, our colleagues and our volunteers from harm. Fill them with your grace and guide their hands to uplift local communities as partners and leaders.
May they selfless service shines as light in the darkness, uniting the world in your compassion.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus, Your son who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever, Amen.
Caritas Asia successfully organized a two-day Regional Conference on 11-12 June 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand where 51 Presidents, Directors and Senior Staff (M:39/ F:12) of 21 Caritas MOs, Caritas Internationalis and Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) gathered to discuss the institutional matters of Caritas mission in the region.
Dr. Benedict Alo D’Rozario, President of Caritas Asia, officially opened the conference and welcomed all participants together with Fr. Pairat Sriprasert, Executive Director of Caritas Thailand. In the inaugural session, Most Rev. Alwyn D’Silva of Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) made on a call to ecological conversion when addressing the pastoral letter to the local churches in Asia on the Care of Creation.
Alistair Dutton, the Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, sent his prayers and wishes to the conference through a recorded video while emphasising the needs of Caritas to change its ways of working following the international aid budget cut which affecting the humanitarian and development work globally.
The conference was graced by the presence of by the Chief Guest His Grace Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondaratana, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand. He reiterated the importance of Caritas to work together as a family in responding to the challenges faced in the communities and in the world.
As the inaugural session concluded, the conference moved to the next discussion on Caritas Asia strategic plan. Ms. Cristina Rigman, the external consultant, reported the results of series of consultations with Caritas MOs in Asia and Caritas Global Partners, feedback and draft of Caritas Asia Strategic Plan for 2026-2030. Afterwards, the participants were divided into four groups to go through the questions of capacity building needs and format in the region, aligning with the mandate of Caritas Asia.
The conference participants were also invited to provide more input on specific themes of Advocacy/Engagement, Localization & Fundraising, Safeguarding, Regional Emergency Support Mechanism (RESUM), Youth and Women Engagement, and Parish Caritas activities through a world café session.
The second day was dedicated for the institutional matters of Caritas Asia which covered the discussions around program and financial updates from the regional secretariat, committees and working groups at the region and confederation levels, sub regional updates and plans for jubilee year. Caritas Internationalis staff also provided updates on the impact of the international aid budget cuts, integral human development and CI management standard.
As we now prepare to move forward into a new phase with the implementation of our new Strategic Plan 2026-2030, we look ahead with hope and expectation for years of fruitful collaboration. With hearts full of gratitude, Caritas Asia extends our sincere thanks to everyone through active contributions, thoughtful reflections, and sincere engagement that made the gathering a truly inspiring and meaningful experience.
photo from Caritas Internationalis media
“Caritas Asia with her Member Organizations, stakeholders, well-wishers and communities mourn for the death of our Loving Holy Father-POPE FRANCIS” We join the world community in mourning and prayer.
The world stands in shock and awe at the sudden passing of our Holy Father- Pope Francis, a leader whose presence radiated compassion, courage, unwavering Hope and faith. His death has left a profound void in the hearts of millions across the world; people of all faiths and walks of life who were touched by his authenticity, his relentless pursuit of peace, and his deep love for humanity and the creation. In a time marked by division due to greed for power, fame and uncertainty, he was a cementing force of unity and hope. As we mourn this immense loss, we also remember the life and light he shared — a light that will continue to guide us in our journey toward justice, mercy, hope and care for our common home. For Asia Region, he had left us a fresh impression with his recent trip to the region in 2024.
“Your Footprints are fresh and reminding us to follow your footsteps- Holy Father”.
We join our hands in gratitude and prayer for his great leadership: God our loving father we thank you for the life and leadership of His faithful servant, who led his flocks with authenticity, honesty, and a heart full of grace and compassion.
Blessed with charisma, vision and empathy, he strove for peace and harmony, embracing all people and all creation with deep care.
May his legacy inspire us to serve selflessly, to build an inclusive world and to continue to follow his footsteps of caring for all and our common home.
Grant his soul eternal rest and may heaven open and angels welcome his soul. Amen.
(photo from Caritas Internationalis media)
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photo by KMSS/Caritas Myanmar
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