CBCP holds plenary in Cebu this month

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu, known as the country’s “cradle of Christianity,” is set to host huge religious events this month that includes the next plenary assembly of the Catholic Church leaders and bishops across the country.

Cebu Archbishop José Palma revealed to reporters that Cebu was chosen for the second time to hold the 115th plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“Last CBCP meeting, when we decided where to have the plenary assembly, in the show of hands, Cebu got a unanimous vote. Meaning to say, the next CBCP plenary assembly will be gathered here in Cebu,” he said.

It was on January 2016 that Cebu hosted the first time a plenary assembly, which is the highest decision-making body of the CBCP. Members meet in regular session biannually - in January and in July.

Palma noted that areas in Luzon region had been selected as the venue of the gathering in the previous years.

“It has always been Luzon… The last three decades, Manila was the area. But now, we have come to Cebu for the second time,” he said.

Palma hoped that the meeting slated within the last week of January will allow the bishops to lay down the plans for this year until 2021, which will mark the fifth centenary of the beginning of Christianity here in the Philippines.

It has been known that Christianity arrived first in the country’s shore through Cebu.

“I thought it would help us here in Cebu where we expect the many forthcoming conventions and celebrations either national or international, they will be held here,” said Palma.

The 67-year-old prelate enumerated some like the biblical seminar; World Youth Day-international level; and convention for inter-religious dialogue, among others.

“I know there will be more. It would be wonderful that we would know, in the course of these three years, which celebrations we expect to be held here in Cebu and so we can prepare,” he said.

Another big event is happening just before the CBCP plenary assembly.

Palma said the convention of seminary formators that were earlier held in Rome will be moved here in Cebu since many are participants here.

Facilitators of the four-day seminar from January 22 to 25 are from the Vatican, particularly priests assigned under the congregation for clergy, said Palma.

“The previous two conventions were held in Rome… but because Rome observed that there are many applicants from the Philippines. They said, ‘we would rather go to the Philippines than you come over to Rome’,” he shared.

The national convention follows right after the feast of Señor Santo Niño, the miraculous image which depicts that of the Child Jesus.

It is expected to gather around 400 seminary formators, including international delegates from Asia, who will be attending the series of seminars, whose main venue will be the IEC Convention Center of Cebu or (IC3) in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Most significantly, Palma said the event is “perfect timing” for the celebration of the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Life in 2018 that is part of the nine-year preparation for the fifth centenary celebration in 2021. (FREEMAN)