The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called on the Filipino faithful to spread the Church’s mission especially to the poor.
“Our faith calls each of us to do mission, the mission to bring the Good News of the Lord’s mercy and compassion to everyone, especially to the poor and the lowly,” said Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, president of the conference.
The prelate made the statement over Church-run Veritas 846 ahead of the observance of World Mission Sunday on October 24.
Archbishop Valles cited the role of missionaries who brought the faith to the country in 1521.
“The arrival of the Christian faith in our islands 500 years ago was a fruit of missionary zeal, a strong sense of mission,” said the archbishop.
He then urged the Filipino faithful to be active in spreading the faith. “Now, it is our turn to show that we too, after 500 years, are truly ‘Gifted to Give,’” said Archbishop Valles.
“May the Lord and our Blessed Mother help us to celebrate most meaningfully World Mission Sunday,” added the archbishop.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila said the observance of World Mission Sunday is a reminder to the faithful to be missionaries to the world.
“World Mission Sunday opens our eyes to the mission of the Church, especially to the work of missionaries to far-clung areas,” he said.
“In particular, we remember today, those who do ‘missio ad gentes,’ those who leave homes, families and country to bring the Good News to other peoples in foreign lands,” added the cardinal.
