HomeDiocesan ReportsPhilippine bishop warns seminarians about lack of passion for mission

Philippine bishop warns seminarians about lack of passion for mission

The Church cannot afford to stay in simple “maintenance mode,” so seminarians must “go out” and help “reach out” to people, especially the unchurched

The head of the Philippine bishops’ mission office told aspiring priests that having no mission enthusiasm is not spiritually and pastorally sound.

Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Mission, stressed that missionary discipleship is not meant for a few but for many.

He said the Church cannot afford to stay in simple “maintenance mode,” urging seminarians to “go out” and help “reach out” to people, especially the unchurched.




“When you lack the passion to go out and just be contented with maintaining what is in existence, it is a sign that you are not spiritually or pastorally healthy,” Bishop Mesiona said.

The bishop was speaking on Saturday to a network of theology seminarians gathered for this year’s virtual “Kapatiran” (Brotherhood).

Instead of being “contented with what is already there existing,” he urged them to go beyond their comfort zone and “respond to the missionary demands of the time.”

He also said that missionary discipleship is never offered in isolation, but always in cooperation with other priests, religious and laypeople.

- Newsletter -

“Missionaries do not go as lone rangers,” said Bishop Mesiona, who is also a member of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

“I am sure that you are not organizing yourselves as Kapatiran to create an exclusive and elite group of seminarians,” he furthered.

Albeit online, the prevailing coronavirus pandemic did not stop the yearly event of SemNet, or Seminarians’ Network of the Philippines.

Kapatiran usually gathers theology seminarians from across the country for a day of talks, sharing and fellowship.

As the health crisis continues, Bishop Mesiona told seminarians to remain focused on matters that would strengthen their formation.

He also urged them to continue finding creative ways for their apostolate in a time of physical distancing.

© Copyright LiCAS.news. All rights reserved. Republication of this article without express permission from LiCAS.news is strictly prohibited. For republication rights, please contact us at: [email protected]

Support LiCAS.news

We work tirelessly each day to tell the stories of those living on the fringe of society in Asia and how the Church in all its forms - be it lay, religious or priests - carries out its mission to support those in need, the neglected and the voiceless.
We need your help to continue our work each day. Make a difference and donate today.

Latest