Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 7) “Do not be afraid to preach the word. Speak the word.”
This is Bishop Broderick Pabillo’s message to the Catholic faithful as the Philippines celebrates 500 years of Christianity.
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan brought Christianity to the country in 1521, after he landed and planted a cross in Cebu.
Pabillo, Manila’s Apostolic Administrator, said Christianity started to spread in Asia while it was disintegrating in Europe during the 1500s.
Since then, over 80 million or roughly four out of five Filipinos have remained Roman Catholics, according to government data.
“This is a source of pride for us, but also a big challenge,” Pabillo told mass attendees during a eucharistic mass Saturday.
Bishop Pabillo urged every Filipino Roman Catholic to spread the gospel even in the society’s poorest and far-flung areas.
He added that many areas in the country haven’t been reached yet by Christianity despite its half millennium of existence.
It’s also important, he said, to make the poor understand how the Catholic Church can be relevant to them.
“Let us be bold in striking out new grounds. Naturally, there will be new expenses, we will have to make mistakes. There will be criticisms. But move on,” Pabillo added.
The bishop also said the clergy and Catholics who have more in life shouldn’t use the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse not offer help to others.
He urged Catholic followers to help the less privileged who live in their area.
“It is not only we who are in the pandemic. Also, the poor are in the pandemic,” Pabillo said.
He also responded to criticisms against church officials they speak up about social issues.
“Pag sinabi nilang namumulitika ka na kasi binabanggit natin ang social implication of the good news, and they always say that when they don’t want to hear our message, let the birds chirp but move on with the mission,” Pabillo added.
[Translation: When they say you are politicking because we mention the social implication of the good news, and they always say that when they don’t want to hear our message, let the birds chirp but move on with the mission.]
Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged every Filipino Roman Catholic to spread the gospel even in the society’s poorest and far-flung areas.
