BISHOPS OF THE PHILIPPINES WELCOMED BY HOLY FATHER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 9, 2003 (VIS) - The Pope today welcomed the Filipino bishops from the Provinces of Caceres, Capiz, Cebu, Jaro and Palo, the second of three groups in Rome to celebrate their quinquennial "ad limina" visit.

The Pope noted his intention to address each group on one of the three fundamental pastoral initiatives that arose from ecclesial meetings in the last decade in their country. Last week he spoke on being the Church of the poor. "I now focus my attention on the second priority: becoming a true community of disciples of the Lord."

"This brings to mind," he said, addressing the prelates in English, "the teaching of Jesus in the Gospel of John, when He explains that being a disciple of the Lord is not a whimsical decision but is instead a serious, loving response to a personal invitation: 'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should bear fruit and that your fruit should abide. This I command you, to love one another'. ... In fact, it is only through this authentic discipleship, based on loving solidarity, that the Philippines can begin to resolve the worrisome dichotomy between faith and life which plagues so many modern societies."

Noting that, in "Ecclesia in Asia" he wrote of "an innate spiritual insight and moral wisdom in the Asian soul," the Pope said "this 'spiritual insight' is clearly witnessed in the deep religious sentiments of the Filipino people and is fertile ground in which to nurture the disposition that leads every Christian to a more authentic discipleship." He underscored the many "examples of the rich Christian heritage which constitutes an integral part of your country's life and culture," adding: "Notwithstanding these positive aspects, there still exist certain contradictions among Christians and in Filipino society at large."
John Paul II said that pastors, in preparing Christians "to be true disciples for the world" must "ensure that the laity has at its disposal programs of spirituality and catechesis to prepare it for this mission." He remarked on the positive ways "in which the Church in the Philippines strives to fulfill this responsibility," through educational opportunities offered by so many dioceses, the various lay organizations, and in small faith communities and movements.

The Pope underscored the need to "ensure that seminaries and religious houses are training future priests to be dedicated disciples of the Word and Sacrament." They must offer, he emphasized, solid human, intellectual, doctrinal, spiritual and pastoral formation. "Any course of priestly formation which offers these elements will indeed produce ministers who will joyously 'struggle to be faithful to the Lord and to serve his flock unswervingly'."

In concluding remarks, he commented that, "as in the case of the formation of seminarians, priestly formation demands a 'harmoniously blended' approach which at all times promotes the priestly virtues of charity, prayer, chastity and faithful celebration of the liturgy, practices unappreciated or even rejected by modern culture and its media. ... Celibacy is to be regarded as an integral part of the priest's exterior and interior life. ... True discipleship calls for love, compassion and at times strict discipline in order to serve the common good. Always be just and always be merciful."

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