never been so immediately accessible" (11).
As the Church in Asia enters the new millennium, she faces some very demanding challenges; EA highlights some important apostolates: women (7, 34, 45), youth (6, 47), nuclear power (7, 38), peacemaking and reconciliation (38), globalization (39), foreign debt (40), and the environment (41). The authenticity of the Church's "mission of service and love" (50) will indeed be tested; will it produce "a great harvest of faith … in this vast and vital continent" (1) of Asia?
CONCLUSION. Ecclesia in Asia concludes as it began on a clear note of optimism and gratitude. "Blessed be God for the peoples of Asia, so rich in their diversity yet one in their yearning for peace and fullness of life" (50). With committed faith, "the Church in Asia joyfully makes her pilgrim way into the Third Millennium" (50). "Mary, model of all disciples and bright Star of Evangelization…, look tenderly upon the Church of your Son planted on Asian soil…. O Mary, Mother of the New Creation and Mother of Asia, pray for us, your children, now and always" (51)!
In this mood of gratitude and optimism, the local Churches of Asia accept the Holy Father's gift: Ecclesia in Asia. Its contents are a mixture of the old and the new (cf. Mt 13:52), a summation of Asian reflection and insights in the Vatican II era, a presentation of the mission agenda for Asia's faith-communities, a program for evangelization in the new millennium. All-in-all, EA is a much appreciated gift. Its treasures need opening in the coming years and decades; its dream for the Church--God's holy people--beckons implementation; its theme--abundant life in Jesus the Savior--requires contemplative action. Yes, Jesus' Asian disciples affirm that the Holy Spirit who moved upon Asia in times past, "moves now among Asian Christians, strengthening the witness of their faith among the peoples, cultures and religions of the continent" (18).
Contemplating God's salvific deeds and wonders during the Easter Vigil liturgy, the Universal Church proclaims in the Exsultet: "Rejoice, O Mother Church"! In similar fashion, the local Churches in Asia acclaim God's marvels in their midst; they joyfully affirm the Asian Synod event as a "celebratory remembering of the Asian roots of Christianity" (4). They pray that the proclamation and subsequent internalization of Ecclesia in Asia will confirm the Church in her servant mission to bring Christ's love and abundant life (Jn 10:10) to Asia and her peoples. Rejoice, O Asia-Church!