By Catholic Sabah
KOTA KINABALU – The 6th Asia Oceania Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Congress convened at the Gaya Centre Hotel from Oct 23-29, centering on the theme “Go and Repair My Church” and addressing the promotion of vocations.
The event gathered approximately 80 SFO delegates from across the region and beyond, including Malaysia, Australia, Timur Leste, Indonesia, India, The Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Singapore. Tibor Kauser, the General Minister of the International Council of SFO, was also in attendance.
In his opening homily, Archbishop John Wong, who presided over the Mass, broke down the congress theme into three actionable points: “Church,” “Repair,” and “Go.” He emphasized that before attempting to repair brokenness in the wider Church, one must first introspect and fix what is broken within. “So that, we may not go wrong when we go out helping others,” he cautioned. Archbishop Wong also reminded delegates that in all missionary work, Christ must be the primary focus, not gadgets or personal agendas.
Echoing this sentiment, Tibor Kauser elaborated on the concept of “repair,” describing it as an act of respecting and restoring existing works rather than rebuilding from nothing. He urged Secular Franciscans not to overtake others’ missions but to find broken areas and gently restore them.
Read full story in Catholic Sabah Vol 68 No 22 dated Nov 16 2025.
