Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan in northern Philippines has encouraged Catholics to consider organ donation as an act of Christian charity and a witness to the Gospel, describing it as “a gift of ourselves so others may live.”
In a fraternal appeal titled “Life Beyond Death: Giving Ourselves in Organ Donation,” dated June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the archbishop invited priests of the archdiocese to promote awareness during National Organ and Blood Donation Awareness Week.
Quoting the teachings of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis, Archbishop Villegas said organ donation is an ethical act of love, charity, and social responsibility that reflects the Christian call to give oneself in service to others.
The archbishop also cited examples within the local Church, including Fr. Jim Cerezo, who donated a kidney to a relative while still a seminarian, and Fr. Jeffrey Segovia, who received a kidney donation from his sibling before his priestly ordination.
Highlighting the need for organ donors in the Philippines, Archbishop Villegas noted that hundreds of patients are waiting for kidney, liver, and lung transplants, with many more not yet included on the national waiting list.
“As your Archbishop, I am asking each of you to consider the gift of life through organ donation,” he wrote.
Archbishop Villegas reminded Catholics that Filipinos may indicate their willingness to become organ donors when applying for or renewing their driver's license. He also encouraged prospective donors to discuss their decision with family members, since hospitals still seek consent from the legal next of kin after death.
The prelate emphasized that belief in the resurrection gives Christians hope beyond death, saying that donating organs while alive or after death is “a witness to our hope that life is more powerful than death.”
“It is a gift of ourselves so others may live. It is a participation in the passion and resurrection of the Lord, whose death gave rise to eternal life,” he said, expressing hope that priests who register as organ donors would inspire parishioners to do the same.
