We, the delegates representing Brunei,
Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam to the 17th
Asian Liturgy Forum held in Hong Kong from October 21-24, 2013 on the topic
“Pastoral Liturgy in Asia,” continue to raise our hearts in praise and
thanksgiving to Jesus Christ, our High Priest and Good Shepherd, for the gift
of Sacrosanctum Concilium that was
promulgated 50 years ago.
The discussions and sharing on the pastoral
benefits effected by the liturgical renewal set in motion by Vatican II led us
to a stronger conviction that the Council envisioned a liturgy that embodies
the solicitude of Christ the Good Shepherd over his Flock, the Church. It is truly pastoral liturgy—one that raises
the mind and heart to God and nourishes effectively the Christian faithful (cf. SC 14). We
believe that such a liturgy continues to challenge us to celebrate with
complete pastoral care and ultimately to form ourselves to become
celebrant-pastors.
As shepherds over the portion of God’s
flock entrusted to their care, our bishops
“from whom the life in Christ of [the] faithful is in some way derived and
dependent” (SC 41) embody this pastoral character of liturgy by wisely, patiently, and lovingly
undertaking their teaching, sanctifying, and leading ministry. Presiding over
the liturgy becomes a clear manifestation of that pastoral charity.
As men who received the grace of the
Sacrament of Orders, priests mirror
Christ the Eternal High Priest, are consecrated to preach the Gospel, shepherd
the faithful, and celebrate divine worship especially the Eucharist in union
with the bishops (cf. LG 28). They
express their pastoral concern over the flock entrusted to them through their
preaching of the word in a mystagogical way (per ritus et preces), through prayerful presiding of the sacred
mysteries, and by conforming their lives to the mystery they celebrate.
As sharers in the one priesthood of
Christ by virtue of their baptism and by the nature of the liturgy, the lay faithful have the right and duty to
fully, consciously, and actively participate in the Church’s liturgy (cf. SC
14). They express clearly their participation in the sacred mysteries through
their acclamations, responses, psalmody, antiphons, and songs, as well as by
actions, gestures, bodily attitudes, and silence (cf. SC 30). Furthermore, they
exercise certain ministries proper to their state, imbued with the solicitude
of Christ who came to serve and not to be served. They open and commit
themselves to a deeper understanding of what they celebrate and are thereby
constantly nourished in their faith.
They bear witness to the fruits of what they celebrate in charity and
justice in the face of the challenges of the world.
Aware of the richness of our various
cultures and religious traditions we commit ourselves to pursuing liturgical
inculturation as mandated by Vatican II (cf. SC 37-40) and in response to the
call for new evangelization. We
are grateful for all the efforts towards revision and adaptation of the
liturgical books that favored active and conscious liturgical participation.
We invoke the Holy Spirit to continue to
inspire, move, and guide us to pursue the pastoral vision of Sacrosanctum Concilium.
At this year’s forum we remembered with
gratitude the invaluable role of Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco, OSB in establishing
and sustaining the Asian Liturgy
Forum for 17 years with his expertise and pastoral zeal. We pray that his
memory and that of the innumerable liturgical scholars and experienced pastors
who generously offered themselves,
often with great personal sacrifices, to realize the pastoral vision of
the Council will be etched in the pages of our liturgical history, as now they
celebrate the eternal liturgy in the kingdom of heaven.
We thank his Eminence, John Cardinal
Tong, Rev. Fr. Thomas Law, the clergy, and their lay collaborators for hosting
this year’s forum. The spirit of grateful remembrance with which we celebrate
the 50 years of Sacrosanctum Concilium
was strengthened by their generosity and hospitality.
That in all things God may be glorified.
