Pope calls on Filipino bishops to promote 'New Evangelization'

Manila, Philippines -  Pope Benedict XVI has called on Filipino bishops to strive harder for the promotion of “New Evangelization” as they gathered for their 105th Plenary Assembly ahead of the celebration of the Year of Faith.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone relayed the message to the Philippine bishops through the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto.

The message was sent on the occasion of the opening of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ 105th Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pius XII Center in Manila. The Plenary Assembly is held twice a year, in January and July.

“His Holiness is confident that the activities you plan for the Year of Faith and the initiatives you organize for the promotion of the New Evangelization will bear much fruit, in fulfillment of the Church’s mission, through the grace and love of the Holy Spirit, to lead all people ‘to the faith, freedom and peace of Christ’ (Ad Gentes, 5),” Benedict’s message read.

The Year of Faith begins on Oct. 11 this year and ends on Nov. 24, 2013.

The CBCPNews said that in the New Evangelization, the faithful are called upon to deepen their faith in accordance with the teachings of Christ, and to embark on their own evangelization.

The New Evangelization also involves “re-proposing” the Gospel to those who have experienced a crisis of faith due to secularization.

Close to 100 bishops attended the Plenary Assembly where activities for the celebration of the Year of Faith and for the promotion of the New Evangelization would be discussed.

Also on the agenda were preparations for a thanksgiving celebration for the canonization of the Pedro Calungsod, the country’s second saint. The bishops would also hear updates on the proposed Reproductive Health Bill.

Leading the plenary gathering were CBCP president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle and retired Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

The meeting, which is expected to conclude tomorrow, was preceded by a three-day retreat at the Betania Retreat House in Tagaytay City.

Meanwhile, Pope Benedict has given Vice President Jejomar Binay and his wife Elenita a special blessing during their recent visit to the Vatican.

Binay also met with members of the Filipino community in Rome to hear their concerns and assure them of the government’s continuing commitment to provide them assistance.

Before leaving Manila late last month, Binay promised to pray for an end to the rift between Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Pimentel eventually decided to leave the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Binay and former President Joseph Estrada after failing to convince the two leaders to drop Zubiri from the coalition’s senatorial slate.

The Vice President also attended the Filipino community’s celebration of Pista sa Paris 2012 on July 1 at the Stade de la Muette in Paris, France.

The annual event is the Filipino community’s commemoration of the 114th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence. – With Pia Lee-Brago