XV ASIA PACIFIC CONGRESS
ON LOVE LIFE AND FAMILY

A REPORT

Panjim 1 Nov 2008 Human Life International, in association with the Family Service Centre of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, and the Regional Office of Human Life International, Asia, organized the XV Asia Pacific Congress (ASPAC) on Love, Life and Family from 29^th to 31st October 2008, at the Taleigao Community Hall, Taleigao,Goa.

This year a special theme ‘Human Life: Mystery, Marvel and Mandate’ was chosen to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Encyclical Letter Humanae Vitae of Pope Paul VI of blessed memories.

The Pre-Congress Eucharistic celebration with the delegates from the countries of Asia Pacific, including India, was held at the ‘Bom Jesus’ basilica, Old Goa. Around 40 concelebrants representing various Family Life Centres and Life Commissions from India and abroad and around 80 foreign and Indian lay delegates participated in the Holy Eucharist which was presided over by His Lordship Very Rev. Derek Fernandes, the Bishop of Karwar. In his inspiring homily quoting Christoph Cardinal Shoonbon, Archbishop of Wien, he said that Europe’s faith and morality came at its lowest ebb when Europe said three NO’s . NO to Love when Paul VI gave Humanae Vitae, NO to Life when many nations in Europe passed laws allowing abortions, and NO to Family when gay marriages were promoted in some parts of Europe. Towards the end he called every delegate to put their efforts together in order to build a culture of life.

The XV ASPAC was commenced with the Eucharistic Celebration at 9:30 am presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Pedro Lopez Quintana, the Apostolic Nuncio in India. In his homily, the Nuncio emphasized the importance of the theme of the Congress. He said that God’s love is manifested through life which is the fundamental basis of society. He reminded the delegates to take upon themselves the responsibility of defending, promoting and protecting human life at all times.

The inaugural ceremony of the Congress highlighted its international nature with delegates from Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia, East Timor, Laos, USA and India. In all there were 405 delegates, 29 foreign, 82 from other states of India and 394 from Goa. The Director of the Family Service Centre, Goa, Rev Fr Socorro Mendes, who is also the Convenor of the Congress, welcomed the dignitaries and delegates. Rev Dr. Simao Diniz, the programme coordinator, introduced the dignitaries to the audience. The lighting of the traditional and ceremonial lamp was led by the Apostolic Nuncio who represents the Holy Father in India. In his introductory remarks, His Excellency, re-emphasized the importance of the theme of the Congress and hoped that a plan of action would be drawn that could outline how the value of human life would be embedded in all the spheres of the society.

Dr. Ligaya Acosta, Executive Director, Human Life International Asia, stated that similar programmes have been organized for the past fifteen years, each time in a different country. It is the aim of the organization to gather people as a family so as to teach them to nourish life. The Chairman of the Family Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (Latin Rite), His Lordship Rt. Rev Agnelo Gracias reiterated that it is ironical that the country is on the threshold of passing two bills that threaten both, the beginning and the end of life, and requested the delegates to do something effective so as not to allow these bills to become a law.

In his keynote address, the Archbishop-Patriarch, Most Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, noted that the theme of the Congress is one that is close to heart of the Church especially in these times where human life is treated more like a material commodity. Since the Encyclical Letter, " Humanae Vitae" of Pope Paul the VI of happy memories was completing 40 years, the Archbishop focused the attention to the marvel of life and hence it is important to draw a mandate to encourage the culture of life in every sphere of society.

Fr. Socorro Mendes, the Convenor of the XV ASPAC gave a beautiful synopsis of ’Humanae Vitae’ and he emphatically stated that the teachings of ’Humanae Vitae’ were basically addressed to the spouses on the profundity of conjugal love. This, he further said, was the positive dimension of the letter, and not regulation of birth, as many have wrongly understood.

Rev. Dr. Kuruvilla Pandikattu, Professor at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune presented a paper on "Mystery of Human Life in the Plan of God", wherein he mainly spoke about Pope John Paul II`s teaching on the theology of the body. Fr. Thomas D`Aquino Sequeira moderated both the sessions. Mr. Bosco Lawrence compered the proceedings of the day. Rev Dr. Stephen Fernandes, Professor of St. Pius College, Mumbai, gave the summary of the whole day`s proceedings.

Day two of the XV ASPAC began with a inspiring Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Percival Fernandez, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay. The concelebrants included bishop Agnelo Gracias, bishop Gerald Mathias, Bishop Derrek Fernandes, and around 70 priests. In his touching homily, Bishop Percival highlighted is the master piece of God`s creation. He requested everyone to think of the marvels the Lord has blessed everyone with, that is, the gift of hearing, the gift of sight, the gifts of our limbs ,the gift of our heart, and the gift of our brain. He aptly stated that most of the time people ignore this gifts, and that is why people recklessly destroy this masterpiece by procuring abortions and other such heinous acts. He appealed to everyone to live lived with awe and reverence by respecting one and other because each and everyone is created in the image of likeness of God.

The first paper was presented by Dr. Job Kozhamthadam sj., Vice chancellor of Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, on "Science and its impact on Faith and Family." He discussed some of the recent developments in science and their impact on Christian faith and on the Christian faithful of which, family is the nucleus. He focused on three areas of contact between modern science and Christian faith: the First, God as the Creator of the universe, second, God as the Revealer of truth, and third, the Christian Spirituality. He concluded his session saying that we need to inject Christian values and Christian teachings into science in order to build up a better and a happier world.

Rev Dr. S Ignacimuthu, the director of Entomology Research institute, Loyola College, Chennai, gave a presentation that focused on the "Medically Reproductive Technology: tending and tampering with life." He started with different medical techniques that enhance the probability of fertilization by directly manipulating the egg outside the woman’s body. He also spoke about the genetic diagnoses for genetic selection of embryos, in order to produce human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities and eliminating others. Quoting the traditional teachings and the stand of the Roman Catholic Church he said that the Church sees spouses as co-creators with God. In bringing forth new life and that Invitro fertilization (test-tube babies) takes the origin of the child away from the expression of love and locates it in the hands of an outsider. In conclusion Rev Dr. S Ignacimuthu, stated that everyone needs to safe guard and respect human life. He also said that all medically assisted reproductive technologies are to be ethically assessed.

In the post lunch, session Rev. Dr. Victor Ferrao, Professor of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, delivered an enlightening talk on the topic "Genetic Engineering: promises and perils", which delved on the pros and cons of human biological engineering and concluded by stating that science and technology without values and ethical reflections can lead to mindless monsters and values and ethics without science can lead to monstrous mind. and advocated a global ban on inheritable genetic engineering of humans and imposition of effective and accountable regulation on other human genetic technologies.

Dr. Angela Lanfranchi M.D., F. A. C. S. from U.S.A. delivered the concluding talk of the day, "Contraception /Abortion: Cause of Breast Cancer" was her topic. She emphasized the link between abortion and breast cancer. She also suggested possible stratergies for primary prevention of breast cancer.

The days proceedings, which were summarized by Rev. Dr. Stephen Fernandes and compered by Mrs. Celina Nazareth, concluded with the recitation of the Rosary.

The concluding day of the ASPAC began with the recitation of the Rosary based on the life of the holy family.

The seventh session of the Congress, was presented by Rev.Dr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President of the Human Life International. The session was on the theme, ‘Humanae Vitae’. Fr. Thomas asserted that marriages are fundamental institutions of the world. Changes in society are taking people away from basic religious values which are projected as old and traditional. It is the media, he said that was subtly promoting small families as being good and happy. The same media vehemently advocates Safe contraception, legal abortion, sex education and thus indoctrinates in young minds.

Dr. Brian Clowes Faculty of the HLI made a presentation on ‘Anti-life threats to Families and Faith’. The culture of life, he said, possesses virtues like prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice, faith, hope and charity as opposed to the culture of death, that promotes recklessness, self-indulgence, cowardice, unfairness. There are 37 countries that have a forced abortion programme that promotes the culture of death, that seek to eradicate guilt and accumulate power. He appealed to all to be staunch promoters of life.

Dr. Ligaya Acosta spoke on "Secular Sex Education: Delusion and Destruction". In her presentation she spoke about the "unholy trinity" which promotes, birth control, sex education and abortion, and which is a threat for our families. Dr. Lygaya, from an anti-life stance, converted to a pro-life attitude in 2004, wondered as to the reasons why sex education is accompanied with consequences like AIDS and unplanned pregnancy, which seeks to avoid. Children are chaste when left alone; sex education can in fact corrupt their minds with sexual preoccupation. This should be combated by learning one’s faith and imparting the same to the children, keeping family relationships close and vital.

Dr. Zenita and Mr. Lewis Sequeira Vaz, spoke on the topic, ‘Parenting – a Rich and Rewarding Experience’. The couple shared experiences of their marriage, child bearing and parenting. They testified to the fact that they have given children their time, love and attention. Having larger families will help children to be more sharing, less selfish, more tolerant and prepare them to live in harmony, they further said

The Archbishop Patriarch, Most Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao was the main celebrant for the concluding Eucharistic celebration. Bishop Agnelo Gracias preached the homily. In his homily he requested everyone to take the three M`s home mainly Memories, Messages and Mission of this Congress, in order to build up and fortify the culture of life. The Congress ended with a concluding ceremony. Rev.Dr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, gave his concluding remarks he said: The Gospel must be carried out to the ends of the earth. Each one has a duty to change cultures and hearts. The task to be a Missionary is not an easy one. No one is too small and insignificant, to proclaim the Gospel of life. His Grace Archbishop Patriarch, Most Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, quoting Mother Teresa said that each delegate is called to drop one drop of water in the ocean, and if that is done, each delegate will really promote the culture of life and the Gospel. Four participants expressed their views and experiences regarding the organizations aspects of the Congress. They showered praises on Fr. Socorro Mendes for organizing the Congress extremely well and for keeping high standards. "The Lily and the Rose" award which has been instituted by the Archdiocese of Bombay was awarded by Bishop Agnelo Gracias to Mrs, Brigida Gonsalves, a staff member of the Family Service Center who for the past thirty years has been rendering her services in the field of Natural Family Planning. The delegates from Malaysia gave a vivid presentation of the venue of the XVI ASPAC to be held there. Fr. Socorro Mendes, Director of the Family Service Center proposed the vote of thanks. The Whole Congress came to an end with the singing of the National Anthem.