THE 15TH ASIA-PACIFIC CONGRESS
ON LOVE, LIVE AND FAMILY HELD AT TALEIGAO, GOA INDIA
Hosted by: FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE, GOA from 29-31 October, 2008
By Peter F Siburat, Director, HLS Miri
Introduction
The 3-day Asia-Pacific Congress hosted by the FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE, GOA which commemorated the 40th Anniversary of Human Vitae at Goa – the “Mother in Faith of the East” ended on the 31st October, 2008. This time around the objectives of the Congress were to
· UPHOLD the dignity of life from conception to natural death;
· INSTIL in the delegates the sanctity and nobility of family life;
· ENLIGHTEN the participants on the proper understanding of human sexuality; and
· LAY a firm foundation to foster the culture of life
The pre Congress session started with a visit to the Basilica of “Bom Jesus” where the body relic of St Francis Xaviar was laid to rest. A special tour was conducted to the “Light and Sound show” portraying the life of Jesus and later the missionary works of St. Francis Xavier and his companion to the East which started at Goa, India. After the tour the Holy Mass was celebrated by the Rt. Rev.Percival Fernandez, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay in the Basilica.
The Congress
Foreign delegates from Japan, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Philippines, and Nepal together with the Indian made up about 400 participants at the Congress.Nine papers were presented by subjects’ experts. Some were amazing, while a few others were thought provoking and mind boggling. The papers were
1) Mystery of Human Life in the Plan of God
2) Humanae Vitae (On the transmission of Human Life
3) Science and its Ompact on Faith & Family
4) Medically Assisted Reproductive Technology: Tending or Tampering with Life
5) Genetic Engineering: Promises and Perils
6) Contraception/Abortion: Cause of Breast Cancer
7) Anti-life Threats to Families and Faith
8) Secular Sex Education: Delusion and Destruction
9) Parenting: A Rich and Rewarding Experience
The presentations made by the President, HLI and Dr. Brian Cloves, described the global strategies at work in our midst. Both of them have deepened my understanding of the evil designs of developed countries in doing harm to lives in emerging poor and developing nations. The calling from HLI is for us to response proactively to work with the instruments of POPE (PRAYER, ORGANISE, PLAN and EXPOSE) in the defend of innocent and defenseless life in our respective country.
Conclusion
The Congress of this nature besides updating participants on current life issues; also provided opportunities for pro lifers to meet each other, know each other better, and share with each other their life’ work experiences. The annual meeting of mind has been an enriching one and a source of inspiration for us to do more for the defenseless and innocent child from conception to natural death
I was very touched by the talk given by Mr. Lewis and Dr. Zenita Sequera Vas , who shared their parenting experience. The wife, a dental doctor was determined to give up her lucrative profession in order to care for and educate their children at home.
The 16th ASPAC will be hosted by Human Life Service Centre in collaboration with the Diocese of Miri Malaysia. God willing prominent and motivational international speakers whom we have identified and invited hopefully will be touch and make time for us to address the gathering theme:” Faith, Life and Family”.
The dates for the Congress have tentatively been fixed from the 19th to 22nd November, 2009 in Miri, Malaysia.
Rev. Fr. Tom Euteneuer, President HLI delivered his talk on life issues
Questions & Answer Session
Participants at the Congress
Procession of foreign delegates with their national flags during the Holy Mass
HLS staff introducing the Resort City of Miri to participants
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