250 priests from all the dioceses of the country met in the Philippines to reflect on the distribution of pastoral responsibilities in the light of the path forged by Pope Francis. Monsignor Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Episcopal Conference: “Synodality brings the wisdom of not monopolizing the mission of the Church.”
Manila () – Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Philippine Bishops’ Conference (CBCP), has recommended that pastors share pastoral responsibilities with the laity. He said this at the “National Meeting of Parish Priests for the Synod” being held in Manila from 29 July to 1 August, with the participation of 250 priests from dioceses throughout the country. Priests, who are ordained ministers, have a specific role in pastoral missions. But the weight of this task becomes much lighter when they succeed in training the laity to participate in a meaningful and effective way in the life and mission of the Church,” added Bishop David.
The meeting was organized by the Philippine Commission for the New Evangelization (PCNE) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and was also attended by Sr. Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod in the Vatican.
“I have the impression that many parish priests live in a state of fatigue, of exhaustion,” continued the Bishop of Kalookan, explaining that the tendency to carry out all responsibilities within a clerical framework may explain this state of exhaustion. “That is why synodality brings the wisdom of not monopolizing the mission. The mission has to do with the Church,” he added. In the same context, Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, vice president of the CBCP, told the prelates gathered in Manila for the meeting: “Do everything possible to smile when you meet the people around you and make them feel the joy of Christ.”
In his homily at the opening Eucharistic celebration of the “National Meeting of Parish Priests for the Synod,” Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, said that the meeting taking place at this time is dedicated to priests becoming “witnesses of the synodality of our Church and discerning the paths that will renew our priesthood and the life of our parishes.” He also urged priests and others present “to promote authentic communion in our parish communities. We must widen our tent and take off our sandals to be a welcoming Church. There can be no communion if we cling too tightly to our outdated conventions and unhealthy comforts.”
According to the cardinal, communion requires welcoming everyone, including sinners, the poor and the marginalized, rather than rejecting them for any reason. “If we do not listen to the poor, are we listening to God?” He also urged the clergy to promote participation in parish communities. “We priests are often tempted to ignore, or even suppress, the boldness of our parishioners, making them dependent on us priests. But we recognize and encourage their boldness as witnesses of our faith,” he added.
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