At the invitation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the office entrusted with implementing the charitable initiatives of the Holy Father, will travel to the Philippines from 19 to 24 January for the Plenary Assembly being held in Manila. During the meeting the Cardinal will reflect together with the Bishops on the teaching reaffirmed in the first Encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, and listen to the diverse experiences of the local churches.
Catholics constitute 90 percent of the total population in the Philippines – the largest such figure in the whole of Asia. Since the arrival of Christianity over 400 years ago, the country has been enriched by the growth of the Church and the fidelity of the Filipino people, which is beautifully expressed in the Church’s numerous charitable activities. With today’s rapidly changing economic, social and demographic realities, the Philippines face new challenges and opportunities, which have significant consequences for charitable ecclesial organizations operating in the nation. The mission of diakonia is part of the very essence of the Church and is a vital element in her ministry to the poor. It follows that the role of the Bishop or local Ordinary is fundamental; indeed the ultimate responsibility for charitable action is his.
In the course of his trip, Cardinal Cordes will visit the poor, the sick and the suffering. He will deliver lectures and discuss the different facets of charity with priests, seminarians, charity workers and various lay groups. He will also meet the President of the Philippines and will be awarded an honorary doctorate from the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tómas, Manila, the oldest university in Asia and one of the world’s largest Catholic universities.
Bollettino della Sala Stampa della Santa Sede 34/2009, 17.01.2009
