Bishop Pablo Virgilio David Urges Collaboration Among Priests and Laity
At the ongoing “National Meeting of Parish Priests for the Synod” in Manila, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), is calling on parish priests to share pastoral responsibilities with the laity. The event, taking place from July 29 to August 1, has brought together 250 priests from various dioceses across the country to delve into the themes and practices of the Synod on Synodality.
Bishop David stressed the importance of empowering the laity to help alleviate the burdens often shouldered solely by priests. He emphasized the need for priests to enable meaningful and effective participation of the laity in the Church’s life and mission, making the task lighter and more collaborative.
The meeting, organized by the Philippine Commission on the New Evangelization (PCNE), featured speakers like Sister Nathalie Becquart, Undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod in the Vatican. The focus was on moving away from traditional clerical frameworks causing burnout among priests towards a more inclusive and collaborative approach.
During the opening Mass, Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of priests becoming witnesses of the synodality of the Church and fostering genuine communion in parish communities. He underscored the need for an inclusive Church that welcomes all, including sinners, the poor, and the marginalized.
Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, Vice President of the CBCP, also encouraged priests to embrace joy and openness in their interactions with parishioners, supporting a Church that recognizes and values the contributions of the laity.
The National Meeting of Parish Priests aims to implement lessons from the Synod on Synodality’s first session in Rome, focusing on communal discernment and enhancing participation and communion among clergy. It builds upon themes discussed during the international meeting of parish priests in Sacrofano, Italy.
Cardinal Mario Grech, General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, has described synodality as a “gift” for priests and bishops, advocating for a ministry that respects the various charisms within the Church. He highlighted the importance of collaboration and mutual learning among clergy.
This gathering serves as a platform for priests to deepen their understanding of synodality and work towards creating a more inclusive and collaborative Church environment.
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