“Synodality: Sensitivity, Synergy and Spirituality; All for Caritas – Solidarity”
Caritas Asia Regional Conference and Partners’ Forum, June 2026
Caritas Asia successfully organized its Regional Conference and Partners’ Forum from 9 to 11 June 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference brought together 83 participants, including five online participants, of Caritas Member Organisations in Asia (MOs), Caritas Global Partners and Regional Secretariat team for the three-day event bearing the theme of “Synodality: Sensitivity, Synergy and Spirituality; All for Caritas – Solidarity”.
Fr. Jerry S.J, the keynote speaker of the conference, mentioned that the church continues to deepen the vision of synodality promoted by Pope Francis and it is not simply a method of governance or a process of consultation, it is fundamentally a way of being church: walking together, listening together, discerning together and serving together. He also added that the challenges facing Asia today require a church that walks together. They require a Caritas network that listens deeply, collaborates generously and prays faithfully.
The conference was divided into three parts. The first part was dedicated for reflections of and sharing on synodality in Asia with concrete examples from Caritas Philippines, Caritas Kyrgyzstan and Caritas Korea and was followed by sub-regional group discussions to share further reflection on synodality based on the context of each sub-region.
The Good Shepherd sisters warmly welcomed the conference participants in the evening of the first day for a group dinner (with migrants) and an opportunity for witnessing and sharing their great works in caring for women and children.
The second part was allocated for sharing the process and progress of Caritas Asia 2026-2030 Strategic Framework and the updated information from Caritas global partners, including their priority themes and opportunities for collaboration in the Asia region.
Sub-regional updates were scheduled on the last day and it highlighted not only the challenges faced, but also the successes, good practices and opportunities to grow in carrying out Caritas mission in each sub-region. During the last day of the conference, Caritas Asia (secretariate) reports on program, finance and statutory matters were shared and discussed.
H. Em. Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD, President of Caritas Internationalis, emphasized the importance of synergy, as one of the three living pillars to make Christ’ s love visible in the world. Asia's extraordinary diversity is a blessing, not a challenge. When we share experiences and journeys together, our collaboration becomes a living proclamation of the Gospel.
Synodality: Sensitivity, Synergy and Spirituality; All for Caritas – Solidarity
