Five Filipinos have been chosen to receive the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” award, the highest papal honor bestowed upon laypersons for their outstanding and generous service to the Church through Caritas Manila.
The highest medal that lay people can receive from the pope recognized Fernando Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Corporation, Arnulfo Veridico of Caritas Manila itself, Manuel Pangilinan of Metro Pacific Investment Corporation, Ramon del Rosario, Jr. of PHINMA Corporation, and Maria Gonzalez Goolsby of Unionbank.
Archbishop of Manila Cardinal José F. Advincula in a letter lauded the awardees saying: “You were nominated for your outstanding contribution as one of the key figures who, through the years, were consistently behind the success of the programs and activities of Caritas Manila.”
The social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Caritas Philippines, a non-profit organization, strives for total human development, poverty alleviation, and fostering a Christian community with a “strong social conscience.”
It said that Zobel, del Rosario, and Pangilinan were pillars on the organization’s Board of Trustees, while Goolsby and Veridico are long-standing supporters and volunteers.
Each awardee will be conferred the Cross of Honour medal, instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. This prestigious honor recognizes their exceptional service to the Church.
The conferment ceremony will take place on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Manila Cathedral.