Philippines: Papal Nuncio Urges Church to Prioritize Evangelizing Young People at Capiz Jubilee

Papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown has called on the Catholic Church in the Philippines to place young people at the center of its evangelizing mission, saying the future of the Church depends on passing on the Gospel to the next generation.

Speaking during the Thanksgiving Mass marking the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Capiz, central Philippines, and the 50th anniversary of its elevation as an archdiocese on July 14, Archbishop Brown said jubilee celebrations should inspire Catholics not only to give thanks for the past but also to prepare for the future.

Addressing thousands of faithful gathered at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in Roxas City, the capital of Capiz Province, the nuncio stressed that the Church must make an "option for the young" alongside its longstanding preferential option for the poor.

"We need to evangelize the young so that in 25 years this cathedral is as filled with joy, happiness, gratitude and thanksgiving as it is this morning," Archbishop Brown said.

He emphasized that the success of the Archdiocese of Capiz's centennial celebration in 2051 will depend on how faithfully today's Catholics hand on the faith to younger generations.

"The future of the Church depends on what we do now," he said, urging the faithful to become active evangelizers and witnesses of the Gospel.

Cardinal Jose Advincula, former archbishop of Capiz and now Archbishop of Manila, also encouraged the local Church to continue growing in faith and missionary zeal.

Reflecting on the jubilee themes of "gratitude, grace and growth," Cardinal Advincula said the Church's journey has always been sustained by God's mercy despite the challenges encountered by priests, religious and lay faithful.

"We did not build our local church by our strength or resources alone. Everything we are and everything we have is first God's gift," the cardinal said.

He added that authentic Christian growth is measured not by the number of buildings or programs but by becoming more Christ-like through holiness, charity, communion, and missionary commitment.

Cardinal Advincula also urged parishes, families and young people to continue sharing God's blessings and bringing His light to future generations.

Closing the celebration, Capiz Archbishop Victor Bendico thanked Pope Leo XIV, fellow bishops, and the faithful for accompanying the archdiocese throughout its jubilee year.

He said the theme, "Generations of Heaven's Blessings," reflects the story of the local Church, whose mission has been sustained through generations of bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful.

Archbishop Bendico described the jubilee as the beginning of a renewed missionary journey following the launch of the archdiocese's pastoral vision through a synodal process.

"This jubilee is not the end of a celebration, but the beginning of a renewed mission," he said.

The Archdiocese of Capiz traces its origins to the arrival of Catholic missionaries in 1581. It was established as the Diocese of Capiz in 1951 and elevated to an archdiocese in 1976. Today, it serves Catholics in Capiz province and Roxas City, with the dioceses of Kalibo and Romblon as its suffragan dioceses.