The Archdioceses of Manila officially ended the observance of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila recently.

His Eminence Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula led the celebration where the Church leader highlighted the need for a Church that is ever-evolving and adaptable to change.
“A Church that is not open to renewal easily grows old, insignificant, and obsolete. There is always a need for the renewal of faith. The Church must be ever-evolving to remain young and vibrant,” said Cardinal Advincula.
The Church must always be open to changes and adaptable to the times, the prelate said.
“Let us examine our parishes, our communities and our institutions. Are we implementing the same programs that are led by the same leaders? Let us not be afraid of new undertakings, new ideas, new leaders that may bring welcome changes. A Church that is open to changes never grows old. That is the Church of Jesus,” the cardinal said as he expressed support for the creation of more mission stations and effective listening tools for a more synodal Church.
Cardinal Advincula thanked the men and women of the Archdiocese of Manila for their cooperation in his task to renew and recreate the 444-year-old center of the Christian faith.
“In my almost two years as Archbishop of this great Archdiocese, I have seen how we, as a Church, respond to the new challenges and mission before us. And I thank the Lord for all of you, my dear priests, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful, for your openness to these calls to renewal and re-creation,” Cardinal Advincula said.
The Archdiocese of Manila, the oldest archdiocese in the country was established as a suffragan diocese on Feb. 6, 1579, by virtue of Pope Gregory XII’s “Illius fulti praesido.” It was led by its first bishop, Fray Domingo Salazar, OP, and was elevated to archdiocesan status 16 years later on Aug.14, 1595.
Cardinal Advincula is the 33rd Archbishop of Manila and was installed on June 24, 2021, during the 450th anniversary of the City of Manila. His predecessor was Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.