PRESS STATEMENT

ISAC State of Dormition

 

On 8 December 2025, the Initiative for the Study of Asian Catholics (ISAC) entered a “State of Dormition”, a period of relative silence, public absence, and inner transformation. After four intense and fruitful years of research collaboration supporting social scientific inquiries into Asian Catholics in contemporary societies, the ISAC coordinators have determined that it is time to transition into a new mode of operation.

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While ISAC@DLSU, the book series, and our internal communication channels continue, all other activities are placed on hold. For the time being, ISAC will not initiate new pilot research projects, academic collaborations, international conferences, online roundtables, or other public-facing events. Our monthly newsletter is likewise suspended.

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This State of Dormition is intended to encourage thoughtful reflection on what has been accomplished since 1 October 2021—our research outputs, collaborations, podcast series, and publications—while also allowing us to carefully consider the logistical challenges and institutional indifference we have sometimes encountered. As a scholarly initiative such as ISAC cannot be taken for granted, this period will be devoted to assessing our resources, promoting our vision, and developing our partnerships in preparation for the eventual launch of Phase II.

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Nonetheless, our office at De La Salle University Manila—ISAC@DLSU—continues its mission to develop and produce new digital collections that support the social scientific study of Asian Catholics. Likewise, the book series Contemporary Asian Catholics, which we initiated with the University of Pittsburgh Press, continues to welcome, edit, and promote high-quality scholarship on Asian Catholics.

Furthermore, to better document and reflect on all that has been achieved over the past four years, we will release a detailed report on ISAC Phase I (2021–2025) in late February 2026. This document will recapture ISAC’s overarching mission, review the various components of Phase I, and outline the challenges that remain to be addressed.

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We are convinced that ISAC offers significant value to scholars, policymakers, and Asian peoples. Yet it must continue to grow both institutionally and academically, requiring a more stable structure and reliable funding. We therefore welcome your Letters of Support describing how ISAC has benefited you, as well as any recommendations you may have. We also invite you to remain connected by subscribing to our mailing list for future announcements. Should you, your academic institution, or your local church wish to participate in ISAC’s mission, we warmly encourage you to contact Dr. Michel Chambon directly.

 

Finally, we wish to extend our sincere gratitude to all colleagues, institutions, and sponsors whose contributions made ISAC Phase I a genuine blessing and a resounding success. We remain profoundly grateful for all that has been accomplished.

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Obedientia et Pax,

 

The coordinators

Dr. Bubbles B. Asor, De La Salle University Manila

Dr. Bernardo E. Brown, International Christian University

Dr. Michel Chambon, National University of Singapore

Fr. Dr. James Ponniah, University of Madras

 

Singapore, 8 December 2025