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Pope Francis and Ecclesial Communion in the Philippines: Reality and Challenges*

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Pope Francis and Ecclesial Communion in the Philippines: Reality and Challenges* 132 The Teachings of Pope Francis ❚Special Issue❚The Teachings of Pope Francis □ ISSN (Print) 1225-4924, ISSN (Online) 2508-3104 Catholic Theology and Thought in Asia, Vol. 81, July 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.21731/ctat.2018.81.132 Pope Francis and Ecclesial Communion in the Philippines: Reality and Challenges* 1 Prof. Msgr. Sabino A. Vengco, Jr. 〔University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines〕 Ⅰ. What Pope Francis Said and Did A. Meeting with Civil Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps B. Eucharist with Church Leaders C. Encounter with Families D. Holy Mass at the Tacloban Airport E. Encounter with the Youth at the University of Santo Tomas F. Concluding Eucharist at the Rizal Park Ⅱ. What Has Happened and What Has Not Yet Happened A. The Phenomenal Impact and Reception B. The Awful Needs Which Still Remain I. What Pope Francis Said and Did On January 17, 2015, Pope Francis was in the Philippines and celebrating the Eucharist at Tacloban City International Airport. He had come to the city as an act of solidarity with the victims of the hor- * This research paper is commissioned, supported, and originally published by the Foundation of Theology and Thought, 2018. Sabino A. Vengco, Jr. / Pope Francis and Ecclesial Communion […] 133 rendous natural calamity, Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Super Ty- phoon Yolanda in the Philippines. During his homily, the Pope devi- ated from his prepared text and in impromptu remarks shared what he termed “something personal” with the people present about how he felt that day in Rome (November 7, 2013) when he watched the un- folding disaster on TV: “I felt that I have to be here. That is when I decided to come here. I wanted to come to be with you […] I came a little late […] but here I am!”1 Returning to his prepared text, the Pope spoke of the strongest storm being overcome by “the strongest force in the universe: God’s love […] We are here […] to bear witness to that love, to its power to transform death and destruction into life and community.”2 The Holy Father came to the Philippines to express fraternity and solidarity with the suffering people, to extend and con- cretize ecclesial communion with the Filipino people. A. Meeting with Civil Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps In his opening address to the Filipino authorities and the diplomat- ic corps at the Malacañang Presidential Palace in Manila early on the first full day of his visit (January 16, 2015, Friday),3 Pope Francis said that his visit is particularly “meant to express my closeness to our brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss and devastation 1 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, I am here […] to be with you: The Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines, Story by Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, Makati: KATHA Publishing Co., Inc., 2015, p. 96. 2 Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation, Inc., The Pastoral Visit of Pope Francis to the Phil- ippines, Quezon City, 2015, p. 10. 3 I am here […] to be with you, pp. 40-41, for the full text of the Pope’s address. 134 The Teachings of Pope Francis caused by Typhoon Yolanda.” He saluted the outpouring of goodness and generosity from so many people who came to aid the victims of the natural disaster, “creating networks of mutual help and working for the common good.” But, Pope Francis frankly pointed out, the admirable example of solidarity in such work as rebuilding teaches us the need to have solid foundations for our society, a challenge not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. This solidarity means respect for authentic human values and protection of our God-given human dignity and rights ― perennial issues in Philippine politics. In the presence of government officials, Pope Francis did not mince his words when he said, “As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good. In this way they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with which God has blessed this country. Thus they will be able to marshal the moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace.” Specifically, Pope Francis went on to zero in on our paramount problems of poverty and social inequalities, the moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity, essential to the attainment of these national goals which, “enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of the poor. It bids us break the bonds of injust- ice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social inequalities. Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart.” Pope Francis connected these initial words of his on Sabino A. Vengco, Jr. / Pope Francis and Ecclesial Communion […] 135 Philippine soil with the country’s preparatory program for the 500th anniversary of the coming of Christianity to the land which is to be held in 2021. According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, 2015 (the second year of the nine-year novena leading to 2021) is the Year of the Poor, dedicated to committing the Catholic Church in the Philippines to the vision of becoming truly a Church of the Poor.4 Pope Francis concurred saying, “I hope that this prophetic summons will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor. May it also inspire concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child in the life of the community.” Apropos of the upcoming celebration of the fifth centenary of the first proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on our shores, Pope Francis commented, “The Christian message has had an immense in- fluence on Filipino culture. It is my hope that this important anniver- sary will point to its continuing fruitfulness and its potential to inspire a society worthy of the goodness, dignity and aspiration of the Filipino people.” His words were addressed to Filipinos both domestically but also internationally: that is, to the rich cultural and religious heritage of Filipinos in the diaspora, including our millions of overseas Fili- pino workers (OFWs), who make real contributions to the life and welfare of the societies they live in. His prayerful challenge: “May the deepest spiritual values of the Filipino people continue to find expres- sion in your efforts to provide your fellow citizens with an integral 4 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Live Christ, Share Christ ― Pas- toral Exhortation on the Era of New Evangelization, 2012; cf. Acts and Decrees of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, Manila, 1992, #122-136. 136 The Teachings of Pope Francis human development” ― and fruitful dialogue and cooperation with the different indigenous peoples and religious minorities. Highlighting the roles of the family and the youth in the renewal of the nation, the Pope urged encouragement and assistance for the families to be able to train their children in sound values, high ideals and genuine concern for others, and thus “transmit to our young the values and the vision which can help bring about a culture of integrity ― one which honors goodness, truthfulness, fidelity and solidarity as the firm foundation and the moral glue which holds society together.” The Holy Father warned that like all God’s gifts, the family can be disfigured and destroyed. “We know how difficult it is for our democ- racies today to preserve and defend such basic human values as re- spect for the inviolable dignity of each human person, respect for the rights of conscience and religious freedom, and respect for the inalien- able right to life, beginning with that of the unborn and extending to that of the elderly and infirm.” B. Eucharist with Church Leaders The above opening and programmatic words of the Holy Father to civil authorities in Malacañang were reechoed and further developed to Church leaders gathered in Manila’s Cathedral-Basilica of the Im- maculate Conception later on that same morning.5 In his Holy Mass with the bishops, priests and religious people, Pope Francis posed to all in his homily the question of Jesus to Peter: “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). He clarified, to the amusement of everyone, that it 5 I am here […] to be with you, pp. 54-55, for the full text of the Pope’s homily. Sabino A. Vengco, Jr. / Pope Francis and Ecclesial Communion […] 137 was not love for himself that he was asking about, but love for Jesus. For “All pastoral ministry is born of love! […] Each of us is called […] to be love in the heart of the Church. […] The love of Christ impels us (2Corinthians 5:14). […] We proclaim the Good News of God’s infin- ite love, mercy and compassion. […] The Gospel is the promise of God’s grace, which alone can bring wholeness and healing to our broken world.” Carrying on the work of love of past bishops, priests and religious, Pope Francis made clear to his brethren, “Like them, you are called to build bridges, to pasture Christ’s flock, and to pre- pare fresh paths for the Gospel in Asia at the dawn of a new age.” The coming commemoration of the evangelization of the Philip- pines, Pope Francis reminded his listeners, must have at its core the invitation to everyone to a renewed personal encounter with the Lord, which was the primal call of the Holy Father to all Christians every- where in his first Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (3), to re- new a covenant with the Lord.
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