Philippines: Advincula Challenges Catholic Military Apostolate to Build Peace as Conflicts Erupt Worldwide

Amid ongoing wars and rising global tensions, Cardinal José Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, urged Catholic military personnel to be “builders of peace” as the Apostolat Militaire International (AMI) marked its 60th anniversary during a week-long conference in the Philippine capital from September 21 to 26, 2025.

In his homily at the anniversary Mass at Manila Cathedral, Cardinal Advincula reminded soldiers and chaplains that their mission goes beyond defending nations.

“You are called to be builders, not of walls that divide, but of bridges that unite,” he said, urging AMI members to embrace biblical leadership, honest witness, and spiritual resilience.

Cardinal Advincula pointed to saints who once wore armor, St. Martin of Tours, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. Charles de Foucauld, as models of leadership, mercy, and courage. Their lives, he said, show that soldiers can also be peacemakers and servants of Christ.

“St. Martin of Tours, a soldier, gave half his cloak to a beggar. That night, he saw Christ wearing it. His leadership began with mercy, seeing Christ in the least and acting with love.”

He stressed that the witness of military personnel speaks loudest through action: “Discipline, honesty, and courage proclaim the Gospel louder than speeches.”

“St. Ignatius of Loyola, once a proud soldier wounded in battle, was transformed by reading the lives of saints. He became a spiritual warrior, founding the Jesuits and teaching us to find God in all things.”

On resilience, Advincula reminded soldiers that while they know sacrifice, danger, separation, and loss, true resilience is also spiritual: rising after failure, forgiving after pain, and choosing hope over despair.

“St. Charles de Foucauld, once a cavalry officer, gave up everything for Christ. He lived among the Tuareg not as a conqueror but as a brother, building bridges through presence and love. Martyred, his legacy still teaches that true resilience is choosing humility over pride, and friendship over power.”

In today’s climate of global insecurity, the Manila archbishop emphasized that military might alone cannot secure peace without integrity, compassion, and faith. As AMI enters its next chapter, its members were challenged to embody resilience not only on the battlefield but also in spirit, continuing to build peace through Christ.

Among those present at the AMI conference were Bishop Paul Mason of the Military Ordinariate of Great Britain, AMI president Vice Admiral (retired) Matthieu Borsboom, and Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown.