Migration in Asia and Its Missiological Implications: Insights from the Migration Theology of the Federation of Asians Bishops' Conferences (FABC)

Author： Tan Jonathan Y.

Publisher： Brill

ISSN： 1573-3831

Source： Mission Studies, Vol.29, Iss.1, 2012-01, pp. : 45-61

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Abstract

Abstract This paper seeks to explore an emerging theology of migration and its missiological implications in the official documents of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). The FABC asserts that migration cannot be separated from the complex interplay of social, economic, class, religious, and political factors that interact to displace people from their homelands. Its emerging theology of migration is rooted in its threefold theological vision of (i) commitment and service to life, (ii) triple dialogue with Asian cultures, religions and the poor, and (iii) with the aim of advancing the Reign of God in Asia. In practical terms, the FABC's theology of migration begins with social analysis that questions the poverty, economic marginalization, racial, political and religious tensions, environmental degradation, as well as many Asian nations' heavy dependence on the remittances of their nationals as economic migrants, which lie at the heart of the ever growing numbers of migrants. However, the FABC goes beyond mere social analysis of the dehumanizing conditions that are endured by migrants when it seeks to undergird its migration theology within its broader theological threefold dialogue with the quintessentially Asian realities of diverse cultures, religions, and the immense poverty. Finally, the FABC is convinced that its theology of migration needs to take seriously the intercultural and interreligious implications of migration and integrate the intercultural and interreligious dimensions in its pastoral care of migrants.