Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “While the Philippines continues to face many challenges in the area of economic development, we must recognise that these obstacles to a life of happiness and fulfilment are not the only stumbling blocks that must be addressed by the Church. Filipino culture is also confronted with the more subtle questions inherent to the secularism, materialism, and consumerism of our times,” said the Holy Father Benedict XVI to the second group of Bishops from the Philippines on their Ad Limina visit on 18 February.
The Holy Father emphasised the importance of preaching by Bishops and priests “so that each Catholic will grasp in his or her innermost depths the life-transforming fact that God exists, that He loves us, and that in Christ He answers the deepest questions of our lives.” He then recalled the “beneficial effects”of the second Plenary Council of the Philippines, which stimulated many dioceses to implement “pastoral programs focused on spreading the good news of salvation. At the same time, it must be recognised that new initiatives in evangelisation will only be fruitful if... those proposing them are people who truly believe and live the message of the Gospel themselves.” Benedict XVI then quoted the positive impact made by basic ecclesial communities, which, driven by people motivated by the strength of Christ's love, “have proved worthy instruments of evangelisation by working together with local parishes.” Also very positive is the flowering of many lay organizations: “the laity needs to hear the Gospel message in its fullness, to understand its implications for their personal lives and for society in general, and thus be constantly converted to the Lord,” said Pontiff.
In regards to evangelising young people in the Philippines, the Pope spoke about, “the patient work of the local Church to reach out to youth at all levels” encouraging them “to continue to remind youth that the seduction of this world will not satisfy their natural desire for happiness.... Care must also be given to showing young people the importance of the Sacraments as instruments of God's grace and assistance. This is particularly true of the Sacrament of Matrimony, which sanctifies married life from its very beginning, so that God's presence may sustain young couples in their struggles.”
Promoting vocations, which is also a part of youth ministry, has produced many vocations to the priesthood and religious life. “However,” said the Pope, “the need for committed servants of Christ both at home and abroad is still pressing... With you, I therefore pray that young Filipinos who feel called to the priesthood and the religious life will respond generously to the promptings of the Spirit. May the Church’s mission of evangelization be sustained by the wonderful gifts which the Lord offers to those whom he calls! In your turn, as Pastors you will wish to offer these young vocations a well-developed and carefully applied plan of integral formation so that their initial inclination towards a life of service to Christ and his faithful may come to full spiritual and human maturity.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 19/02/2011)
