The head of the Catholic hierarchy called on his fellow bishops to remain steadfast in their ministry despite the inevitable conflicts, betrayals, and disappointments that come with authentic discipleship.
Addressing the realities of Church leadership, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David urged fellow bishops not to grow cold or bitter, but to stay spiritually alive by keeping their eyes fixed on Christ.
“Dear brother bishops, in our own ministry, there will always be regrets, conflicts, betrayals, disappointments — even within our own brotherhood,” David said. “May these not turn our hearts to stone.”
The cardinal made the statement in his homily during Mass at the Tagbilaran Cathedral on July 1, the second day of the bishops’ annual retreat.
The four-day retreat also served as a national consultation for synodal implementation, drawing dozens of participants including priests, consecrated persons and laypeople from various dioceses.
The president of the bishops’ conference encouraged prelates to resist the temptation to dwell on past wounds and instead look to Christ for strength and direction.
“When the temptation comes to keep looking back,” he said, “look instead at Christ, who is with us in the boat.”
David, who is also the bishop of Kalookan, also reminded the congregation that fear and vulnerability are part of the journey of discipleship.
“May our hearts dare to stay both frightened and free — not frozen like pillars of salt, but alive, trusting in Him who calms the winds and the waves,” he said.
David also emphasized the importance of leading by example and keeping Christ at the center of their mission.
“Let us fix our gaze on him who is our true destination — and lead our people to do the same,” he said.
The retreat and synodal consultation, hosted by the Diocese of Tagbilaran, is in preparation for the bishops’ biannual plenary assembly, scheduled for July 5 to 7 in the neighboring Diocese of Talibon.
Among the agenda items for the high-level meeting are the election of new CBCP officers and discussions on a framework for a national program on synodal transformation.
