It was a fine day despite the weatherman’s gloomy forecast. God always has the last say. On that blessed note, we launched the East Asian Pastoral Institute’s (EAPI) online journal, Asia Pacific Mission Studies (APMS) last September 6.
Some EAPI participants and residents graciously functioned as ushers and registrars to welcome the guests. Despite it being a working and study day at the Ateneo de Manila University, the event drew about a hundred guests to the Cardinal Sin Center of the Loyola School of Theology.
Fr Peter Pojol SJ, Director of EAPI, presented a short video on the history of EAPI, which marks its 54th year in 2019. Then, Fr Luc Mees MDJ, who is the Associate Editor of APMS and former member of the editorial team of East Asian Pastoral Review (EAPR), recalled for the assembly a brief history of EAPI’s journal publications including the EAPR which APMS now replaces. In general, EAPI publications went through several changes and developments in view of the changing ecclesiological and theological landscapes of the past decades, particularly those brought forth by Vatican II.
The Second Vatican Council called for a great shift in the missionary activities of the church. Primarily, it recognised and acknowledged the activity of the Spirit in many ancient religions, in particular those that existed and had been practised in Asia long before the coming of Christianity.
Cardinal Orlando Quevedo OMI touched on the varied theological developments practices of the church in Asia in his keynote speech on “Theological Trends for Mission in Asia Pacific: 50 Years After Vatican II”. Although he humbly admitted that he was unfamiliar with the church in the Pacific and could not speak on it, he shared his personal experiences and encounters in pastoral theology, which put context to the subject–a matter of praxis. At the end of his talk, the Cardinal challenged EAPI and the theologians present to work towards a full-fledged “Construction of an Asian Theological Missiology”.
The Editor of APMS, Fr Greg Soetomo SJ, looked ahead to the direction of the new online journal APMS. The important question was raised whether a journal is still relevant today. The answer is an emphatic “yes”. However, there are conditions to accompany its relevance, said Fr Soetomo. One such condition is to contextualise the information on the church-mission. APMS aims to promote knowledge and research related to the mission of the church in a way that bridges theology and ministry in the Asia Pacific context, and facilitates informed praxis and effective witnessing by the church.
Fr Soetomo concluded his presentation with a digital tour of the APMS website.
As we began with a prayer imploring the Lord’s blessings, we ended the evening with a sense that something good has been planted in the hearts and minds of people.
The launching of APMS is a modest beginning very much like planting a mustard seed. When managed skilfully and cared for lovingly, the humble mustard will eventually emerge into a tree that gives shade to many. It is a most encouraging metaphor for EAPI’s newest endeavour.
Fr Peter Wee CSsR is from Singapore and is a participant of EAPI’s Sabbatical Programme.