Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos, vice chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI), has expressed support for the creation of a Personal Prelature for Filipino Migrants.
Bishop Santos, who also serves as Bishop Promoter of Stella Maris Philippines, cited the importance of enriching the spiritual lives of the country’s migrant workers.
“The creation of a Prelature for Filipino Migrants Ministry will bring God’s grace to all, service to all, hope and help to everyone, especially to our OFWs. We at the CBCP Stella Maris-Philippines, pray that this proposal of a Prelature for Filipino Migrants would be accepted and then approved,” said Bishop Santos overall Radio Veritas.
The creation of a Personal Prelature for overseas Filipino workers will be discussed during the 124th plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. The bishops will be meeting face to face this month for the first time in two years due to the pandemic in a retreat house in Tagaytay City.
Bishop Santos cited the country’s migrant workers as our modern-day heroes. “They are involved in various fields while at the same time helping spread the faith around the world,”
“With dedication and devotion to their work and to our religion, they show the true face of Filipinos as honest and hardworking, faithful and God-fearing people,” the Church leader said.
CBCP president Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, earlier said, the proposed Prelature for OFWs will serve as a small diocese aimed at serving the needs and concerns of Filipino migrant workers around the world.