South-East Asia
CBF South-East Asia Subregion
CBF South-East Asia Subregion is among the most active and best organized regions in the Catholic Biblical Federation. Nonetheless, it still faces some challenges and difficulties. In most of the countries which comprise this region, Christians are a minority, frequently treated with suspicion or even hostility. Some of their communism-influenced governments restrict religious freedom. At the same time, South East Asia enriches the Federation by its significant experience in the area of interreligious dialogue. The Catholic Church in the Philippines with its well established and regular activities – Bible weeks, Bible Month, summer camps for the youth, and activities of numerous biblical centers run by lay people – plays a leading role in pastoral biblical ministry in the region. Its another significant aspect is a fruitful cooperation of CBF members with the United Bible Societies.
Coordinator
Dr. Natividad B. Pagadut
Updates from South-East Asia
Indonesian National Bible Month (2024): "God, Source of Justice."
September is the National Bible Month for all Catholics across the dioceses in Indonesia. This is a tradition of the Catholic community here that has been developing since 1980.
Catholic Biblical Federation Southeast Asia Sub-region (CBF-SEA) Sub-regional Committee Meeting
On September 23rd the meeting of the CBF South-East Asia Sub-Regional Committee was held via Zoom.
Presentation of Indonesian Bible to Pope Francis
During Pope Francis' apostolic visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 3 to 6, 2024, the Indonesia Bible Society (Lembaga Alkitab Indonesia [LAI], an Ecumenical Bible organization) and the Indonesian Bible Association ( Lembaga Biblika Indonesia [LBI], full member of Catholic Biblical Federation), represented by Rev. Dr. Henreitte T.H. Lebang (Chairperson of LAI) and Rev. Dr. Sigit Triyono (General Secretary of LAI), both Protestants, had the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis before he left Indonesia on September 6, 2024.
