Hong Kong, China, 29 May 2023 -- The 3-day dense program involving a hundred Salesian Cooperators from 13 countries in the large EAO Region, held in Hong Kong, came to an end on the Pentecost Sunday, 28 May.
A strong animation presence by the World ASC leadership was felt in many ways through the sharing of the World Coordinator, Mr Antonio Boccia and both World Delegates Br Dominic Nam SDB and Sr Lucrecia Uribe FMA.
Joint prayers, sharing and reflection, reconnecting interprovincial relationships and especially listening and interacting for the whole time of the Congress with young adults from many countries - such was this wonderful Hong Kong Congress 2023.
The 100 ASC Congress participants ASC, SDB, FMA and young people) gathered 24 years after the previous EAO Congress held in Hong Kong in 1999.
What made this EAO Congress really unique?
1.The election of the first EAO World Councillor from the Philippines: Ms 'Meldy' (Imelda D. Benitez-Dometita, 57) a Salesian Cooperator since 1996. She was elected at the first ballot (17 of 32 votes). She will take over after as EAO World Councilor from Mr Philip Yu (2001-2008 and 2014-2023).
2.The consistent presence of young people from the EAO province (for the second time) at the Congress, impacting on the Congress dynamics. As Mr Philip Yu stated: "The young people are accompanying us, not the other way around!"
3. Superb conduction and excellent communication of the whole Congress event on its YouTube channel in live streaming.
The next EAO Congress is proposed for 2027 ('most likely') in Vietnam, after the long awaited 2020 that could not happen due to the pandemic. And the next ASC World Congress will be held in Italy (Rome or Valdocco) on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the ASC foundation.
As the EAO region's 3-year 'Focus of each province' the following goals were discerned:
1. Synodality (walking together)
2. Following the 150th ASC Foundation anniversary path
3. Continuing the consistent path of 'For the Young and With the Young' (started in 2017)
All proceeding of the 10th EAO Congress are available on the China ASC province website and YouTube channel (LIVE)
- Website
- May 26 (1) Opening session and Keynote talks of the Congress (2hrs 14 min)
- May 26 (2) Opening Mass by Bishop of Hong Kong Stephen Chow (59 min)
- May 26 (3) For the Young Project Reporting by each EAO province (1 hr 22 min )
- May 26 (4) Welcoming dinner - Cultural evening (1 hr 14 min)
- May 27 (5) Indication from the World Council ASC (1 hr 15 min)
- May 28 (6) Concluding session with Youth sharing (54 min)
