ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Bishops' Letter for the Jubilee period: "There is hope for the nation"

Tuesday, 4 February 2025 jubilee local churches politics

CC Adam Cohn

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Manila (Agenzia Fides) - "Hope gives us courage and freedom," says the Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, distributed and read in churches on February 2 at the conclusion of the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops. The letter, signed by the President of the Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of Caloocan, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, focuses on the theme of hope, a virtue, and makes a reference to the most burning issues of the nation: from the demand for transparency and accountability - in view of the mid-term elections scheduled for May 2025 - to the desire to "become a more missionary and synodal Church". The bishops declare that they are engaged in "communal discernment on the current realities affecting our nation". The letter quotes the Letter to the Romans: “Hoping against all hope” (cf. Rom 4:18) and states that the Filipino people "struggle with hopelessness, striving to find hope amidst adversities".
"In the sphere of morality, we sense widespread confusion, indifference, apathy, and helplessness because of murderous attacks against life, particularly against innocent ones. The culture of impunity, self-entitlement, and loss of sense of sin are alarming," it says. Added to this are the traumas "of disasters and tragedies due to climate emergencies". In the area of economy, "the increase in poverty, manifested by the rise of unemployment and the price of commodities and services", which widens the gap between rich and poor. In the political realm, "the misuse of public funds and resources", "the culture of patronage and mendicancy are truly disturbing", and also in the field of communications, "falsehood, misinformation, and disinformation are weaponized against the truth".
In the face of this reality, it is necessary "to pursue the path of personal, institutional, and ecclesial conversion in order to rediscover hope. This is the opportunity that the Jubilee Year provides us,” the pastoral letter says.
Recalling that “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts” (cf. Rom 5:5), the bishops proclaim that Christ is the Savior and that “God’s love penetrates our suffering, our misery and death, saves and transforms us.” “Love piercing through darkness reveals glimpses of hope” that can be seen “in principle-driven leaders who champion good governance.” “We see sparks of hope,” the bishops continue, “in the idealism of young people and responsible citizens who do not sell their idealism and patriotism,” and “in the spontaneous collaboration among NGOs, civic, and religious organizations” or “in ordinary laborers committed to sincere service even without recognition or reward.” They continued: “We see sparks of hope in those who stake their reputation, even lives, to fight corruption and pursue justice” and “in the Filipino spirit of resiliency, and in those who dedicate themselves to genuine service despite being overwhelmed by their own need.” “We, your spiritual leaders,” the bishops said, “share the pain brought about by these wounds of affliction. We, too, feel the deep disturbance and seeming paralysis that plague many who are dragged into the pit of hopelessness.” Therefore, “in this Jubilee Year of Hope, together we hold precious, the gift of hope sparked by the Holy Spirit. This hope is not simply optimism or a positive feeling. These are glimpses of the gift of hope that comes from the Holy Spirit urging us to act.” "Any action of hope is sourced from the Holy Spirit," the Pastoral Letter says. "We therefore ask you, dear people, to allow the hope within you to be rekindled. May it become a flame of hope." "Let the Holy Spirit renew the face of the earth and breathe transformation into the dark spaces and places of our lives and our nation," the bishops say. "The grace of the Holy Spirit is a gentle breeze that spurs us to continue" and by promoting a "spiritual revolution of hope" and walking together "on a Pilgrimage of Hope towards the Father’s Kingdom."
"There is hope! May Pag-Asa!", the bishops write in the local language, Tagalog. They conclude with the advice of Saint Paul: "Let us not grow weary of doing good" (Galatians 6:9). (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 4/2/2024)