In a video message addressed to partici-pants at the Asian Forum on “Celebrating Synodality & Indigenous Living Tradition in the Asian Church” in Nepal, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, emphasized the importance of recognizing and dialoguing with the Indigenous peoples. “For recognition and dialogue will be the best way to transform relationships whose history is marked by exclusion and discri-mination,” said Cardinal Czerny, underscor-ing the Church’s role in fostering inclusivity.
Speaking to an audience of bishops, Indigenous pastoral leaders, priests, nuns, lay leaders, and theologians from across Asia, he highlighted the significance of indigenous traditions, wisdom, and spiritual practices, encouraging the Church to embrace these as valuable contributions to synodality. “As members of the Church in Asia, you have the opportunity to deepen your engagement with the Indigenous peoples as principal dialogue partners with their chanters, healers, herbalists, midwives, shamans, wisdom keepers, and sharers,” Cardinal Czerny said.
The forum, organized by the faith-based group Circle of Sacred Rice, provided a platform for faith leaders to reflect on how the Church can incorporate Indigenous per-spectives while advancing social justice, environmental protection, and cultural pre-servation.