Bishop’s assembly tackles Church matters, nat’l issues | Inquirer News

Bishop’s assembly tackles Church matters, nat’l issues

By: - Reporter / @JeromeAningINQ
/ 03:12 AM January 29, 2012

MANILA, Philippines—The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) opened its semiannual plenary assembly in Manila on Saturday to tackle Church matters and pressing national concerns.

Over 100 bishops from various dioceses were expected at the three-day gathering at the Pope Pius XII Center on UN Avenue. It would be the first time the new CBCP president, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, shall preside over the assembly.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, head of the CBCP’s permanent committee on public affairs, said it was not known if the prelates would discuss or release a statement on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Article continues after this advertisement

Palma, in his opening remarks, only alluded to the impeachment trial as he spoke about the country’s natural and man-made woes.

FEATURED STORIES

“Aside from the natural calamities, there are a brood of factors that cause untold pain and suffering to our people. The reality of graft and corruption, unemployment and unabated devastation of our forests and seas lead to poverty and related problems. At this time, with the obvious confrontations among the main branches of our government, [it] make[s] us wish we are not stuck with pinning the guilty but instead we are now marching and collaborating with each other in implementing laws and programs that bring about growth and development. Certainly we can say there are dark clouds in the sky,” Palma said.

Sen. Gringo Honasan recently called on the CBCP to provide the people with “moral guidelines” and the “right perspective” on the trial to help the people reflect on the current issue with the light of the Christian faith.

Article continues after this advertisement

Iñiguez said the bishops were “aware” of the issue but this did not necessarily mean they would be speaking about it. “Unless there are moral evils and if there is really a need to make a stand, that’s when we issue statements,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo was quoted in a CBCP statement as saying that whether or not the bishops issued a statement on the impeachment trial, they were hoping that “truth and justice” would prevail.

Article continues after this advertisement

Palma, in his speech, said the role of the Church was to muster hope among the faithful that things would get better.

“Under the dark clouds and in the midst of poverty and suffering, I reiterate, I feel a great hope. I pray that we, as members of the CBCP, own up and declare that there is hope. We hope because in [the late Pope John Paul II’s 2003 apostolic exhortation] Pastores Gregis, that is what we are called to be: Harbingers of hope. As bishops, we are to give people a reason for living and hoping,” Palma said.

Article continues after this advertisement

As Church leaders, Palma added, he and the bishops should be instruments of unity and reconciliation in the country.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS:

No tags found for this post.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.