Asian Catholic Deaf Council founded at the 4th Asian Catholic Deaf Congress in Seoul

The 4th Asian Catholic Deaf Congress, held October 15-21 in Seoul, South Korea, founded an Asian Catholic Deaf Council, an idea proposed by the Catholic Deaf Association of the Philippines at the previous congress in Jakarta in 2023. The council is meant to keep cooperation going between congresses and turn meetings into concrete action. Speakers included Fr. Joseph Thermadom, India's first Deaf Catholic priest, on the past, present and future of Deaf Catholics in Asia, and theologian Carmen Nanko-Fernandez on Deaf liberation theology. Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick celebrated the opening Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral, likening the many sign languages present to Pentecost.