Continue serving as shepherds, Pope tells RP bishops
MANILA, July 5, 2008— Pope Benedict XVI is praying for and praised the nation’s bishops as he urged them to continue serving as the shepherd of their flocks, Vatican Secretary of State Tarcio Bertone said.
Bertone said the Pope urged the Filipino prelates to continue acting their role as the chief catechists of their respective pastoral jurisdictions.
This means, he said, that bishops must be willing always and everywhere to stand up and teach those in need of instruction “to have their faith confirmed and purified.”
“The Holy Father prays that you will continue to nourish the mind, spiritual attitudes and moral behavior of your people with the truth of the Gospel while always remembering that the faithful need the word of their bishop,” said Bertone.
The Pope’s message was read this morning by CBCP President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo at the opening of two-day Plenary Assembly, CBCP’s 97th which is being held at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila .
Cardinal Bertone said the Pope also assured his “apostolic blessing” to the CBCP as he commend their works for the Catholic Church.
CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura said around 87 bishops—82 active and 5 retired members—were present at the regular plenary meeting as of Saturday morning.
The CBCP has 99 active and 32 honorary members.
The event was started with a Eucharistic celebration led by Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
Aside from the reports which will be rendered by half of the 33 CBCP commissions, socio-political and economic issues will also be discussed by the prelates at their bi-annual meeting.
The Plenary Assembly is CBCP’s highest decision-making body. Composed of active and retired bishops, the Plenary Assembly meets in regular session twice a year, in January and in July. (Roy Lagarde
