The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reminded the faithful to "cherish" their grandparents as they play a significant role in their lives.
CBCP President and Davao City Archbishop Romulo Valles cited Pope Francis’ teaching that grandparents “remind us that old age is a gift” and that they are “the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young.”
“Let us make sure that grandparents remain – and feel – that elders are cherished members of our families, communities and nation,” said Valles in a pastoral statement.
“The Church in the Philippines, called to be a community of missionary disciples of the Lord, knows that the Church of the poor and the Church of young cannot be part of a throw-away culture that disposes of the very generation that teaches us: ‘ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan hindi makakarating sa paroroonan’ (A person who does not look back on where he came from will never reach his destination),” he added.
In January, Pope Francis has established an annual date to honor grandparents and other elders. The World Day for the Grandparents and the Elderly will be observed annually on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne---the grandparents of Jesus.
“Grandparents are often forgotten and we forget this wealth of preserving and passing on the roots. For this reason, I have decided to establish the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly,” Pope Francis then said.