All dioceses will soon have a public affairs ministry.
CBCP News said Catholic prelates agreed to establish such ministry during their plenary assembly in Tagaytay City held from July 9 to 11.
The bishops also approved the elevation of the Permanent Committee on Public Affairs of the Catholic Bishops' Conference into an episcopal commission.
Established in 1982, the said Committee is currently chaired by Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista.
Its executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano welcomed the move, saying that “we can serve more and we can have different partners also coming from different archdioceses and dioceses.”
“We really have to make our social engagement very strong especially now that the church is also needed,” Secillano said.
Among the functions of the public affairs commission include the liaisoning between the CBCP and government.
It is also tasked to represent the CBCP in public hearings called by the government in matters affecting church-state relations.