The 128th Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines plenary assembly will be held in Mindanao for the first time on July 6 to 8, a CBCP news post said on Friday, June 28.
More than 80 Filipino bishops are expected to attend the bi annual assembly at the Chali Conference Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
The closed-door meeting will begin with an address by Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the bishop’s’ organization, the CBCP said.
Monsignor Bernardo Pantin, CBCP Secretary General said, the agenda for the 128th plenary assembly include electing a chairman for each of the following commissions: the Commission on Catholic Education, the Sub-commission on Retired, Sick, and Elderly Priests, the Sub-commission for Permanent Deacons, and the Office for the Postulation of the Causes of Saints.
“There will also be discussions on the proposed activities for the Jubilee 2025 celebrations in the Philippines. Let us pray for the bishops as they gather, discuss and pray about the future of the Church in the Philippines,” Msgr. Pantin said.
Before the assembly, the bishops will have a retreat on July 2 to 4 at the Transfiguration Abbey run by the Benedictine Monks in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
With the theme “Synod Spirituality: Embracing Ecology in the Light of Laudato Si and Laudate Drum,” guest speakers include Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, and theologians Fr. Reynaldo Raluto and Vincentian Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario.
Fr. Raluto is the chairman of the Diocese of Malaybalay’s Integral Ecology Ministry, while Fr. Pilario currently serves as president of Adamson University in Manila.
The CBCP is currently composed of 83 active bishops, 5 priest administrators, and 39 honorary members who are retired bishops.
The CBCP plenary assembly convenes twice a year, in January and July. When they are not in session, the Permanent Council acts on behalf of the episcopal conference.