The archbishop of Manila, Philippines, underlined the importance of “steadfast trust” in building Christian friendships, which is a key factor in carrying out the Church’s mission of evangelization.
“Genuine friendship cannot be measured by intense emotions, but through commitment,” said Cardinal Jose Advincula. “Like Mary, may we learn to be constant in our faith and love.
The cardinal presided over the opening mass of the Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization (PCNE) at the University of the Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila on July 24.
With this year’s gathering focused on the mission of building and fostering friendships, Cardinal Advincula reminded the faithful that Christians are not slaves “who labor to impress or please a boss.”
“Our motivation for service is not just a sense of duty but deep gratitude for God’s mercy and love,” he said. We see the Lord not as an overbearing boss, but as a friend who invites and empowers us to share in his mission of love.”
Furthermore, Cardinal Advincula said that friendships rooted in Christian values are "never a one-way relationship” but in sharing time, talents, and experiences with others.
“In a Church that is built on the mutuality of friendship, no one walks alone. We pray for one another, encourage one another, forgive one another, and strengthen one another,” he said.
“At the same time, it also means humbly and joyfully accepting help from others, so that we do not have to appear strong, capable, and self-sufficient, but we become willing to share in the gifts of others,” he also said.
Now on its 12th year, the Philippine Conference of the New Evangelization is organized by the Archdiocese of Manila to form parishes, communities, and institutions “to become effective agents of the new evangelization.”
The word chosen to encapsulate this year’s three-day event was “Sangkay,” which means friend in the Philippine language Waray-Binisaya.
The keynote address on the first day was delivered by Naval Bishop Rex Ramirez, and a plenary talk from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect for the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
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