CBCP to tackle new guidelines from Rome in plenary assembly

Archbishop Ramulo G. Valles. CBCP PHOTO

The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the faithful to pray for their prelates as they meet for their plenary assembly later this month in Cebu City.

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles is expected to lead the first plenary assembly for 2018 from January 22 to 29.

In an interview over Radio Veritas, the prelate appealed to the faithful to pray for their bishops as they discuss issues relevant to the Catholic Church.

“We need your prayers so that we will be enlightened and fruitful in our discussions regarding what we would do as we move forward as leaders of the Church,” Valles said.

The plenary assembly would be the first for Valles as president of the CBCP.

Valles, a known friend of President Duterte, assumed his post in December last year.

He succeeded Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Socrates Villegas, an outspoken critic of the spate of killings under Duterte’s war against illegal drugs.

Valles said among the issues to be tackled are the new guidelines from Rome on priestly formation.

“We will also discuss priestly life and consecrated persons. That’s the theme of this year, of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons. That will be part also of the discussions in the plenary assembly,” he explained.

Valles is also expected to report on the progress of the CBCP’s plans for the 500th celebration of the arrival of Christianity in the country, which will be held in 2021.