Ecumenical Directors in the Philippines Meet for First-Ever National Assembly

In response to the call to build a more Synodal Church, ecumenism directors in the Philippines gathered for their first-ever national assembly.

35 priests representing different dioceses met at the Diocese of Malolos in the Province of Bulacan from June 18 to 19 to share ecumenical experiences and create action plans on improving interreligious dialogue.

In his homily during the first day of the assembly, Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo said that ecumenical efforts should be rooted in the desire for “the Kingdom of God to be realized” here on earth.

“When we look at each other as enemies, God’s Kingdom does not come,” he said. “When we refuse to share a meal [and] our resources with others, we and others go hungry. We are divided by the haves and the have-nots.”

Bishop Villarojo also urged the ecumenical directors to break bread with other Christian denominations, even though they do not share the same Catholic faith on Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist.

“If the meal is truly sumptuous, the heart opens up,” he said. “When the heart opens up, stories begin to be shared, and conversations happen, which now becomes the principle by which we begin to understand each other.”

Moreover, the prelate said that finding common ground through ecumenism is an effective way to fight social injustice.

“When we recognize our sinfulness, perhaps a lot of dissension and conflicts can be overcome,” he said. “Christian communities can come together… to fight common enemies.”

Lucena Bishop Mel Uy, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Ecumenical Affairs of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), attended the event and presided over the Mass on its second day.

In his homily, he emphasized the role of the “atmosphere of openness” in achieving unity with people of other faiths.

“This first gathering of ecumenism directors [puts us on the] right track,” he said. “[If] we continue establishing friendship and communion, we will be able to respond with our Lord that ‘Your Kingdome come.’”