Bintaro, Indonesia | November 10, 2026
The Claretian Missionaries of the Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province are participating in the Asian Claretian Bible Assembly being held from November 9 to 13, 2026, at the Canossian Retreat House in Bintaro, South Tangerang, Indonesia. The Province is represented by Fr. Louie Guades III, CMF, Provincial Prefect of Communication, and Fr. Jo Stephen Cagaanan, CMF, Provincial Bible Ministry Coordinator.
The five-day Assembly, hosted by the Ave Maria Province, brings together 21 Claretians from across Asia, including Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF, Vicar General and General Prefect of Bible Ministry and Communication. Under the theme “The Word in the Digital Age: Asian Claretians Harnessing Digital Culture for Bible Ministry and Proclamation,” the gathering seeks to strengthen biblical ministry and explore new approaches to proclaiming the Word of God through contemporary means of communication.
The Assembly formally opened on November 9 with the enthronement of the Bible, followed by a traditional welcome from the host Province and an opening address by Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF. In his message, Fr. Henry encouraged the participants to move beyond exchanging experiences toward concrete action plans, stronger collaboration, and practical initiatives that would make the Word of God more accessible, particularly to young people.
For the Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province, the participation of its Prefect of Communication and Bible Ministry Provincial Coordinator provides an opportunity to bring together two closely related dimensions of its missionary apostolate: biblical proclamation and communication. Through the exchange of experiences and pastoral practices with other Claretian organisms in Asia, the Province hopes to gain fresh perspectives on how digital platforms and emerging communication technologies can support its biblical ministry.
The insights and initiatives emerging from the Assembly could contribute to the Province’s future pastoral planning, particularly in developing more accessible digital biblical resources, strengthening the biblical animation of its ministries, and encouraging greater collaboration among its missionary communities and apostolates.
As the Assembly continues until November 13, the participation of the two provincial representatives reflects the Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province’s commitment to exploring new ways of bringing the Word of God closer to people, especially in a rapidly changing digital environment, while remaining rooted in the Claretian missionary charism.
