World Touch
PHILIPPINES: Year Of Ecumenism And Dialogue
All Filipinos are called to build a better society through fraternal love and interreligious dialogue. This is the appeal included in the Pastoral Letter published by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on the occasion of the special “Year of ecumenism, interreligious dialogue and indigenous peoples” launched by the Filipino Catholic Church in preparation for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the advent of Christianity in the country which will be celebrated in 2021.
PUBLISHED ON
Jan 2020“Fraternal love also requires us to walk together in building a better world while preserving the name of justice and mercy, the bases of prosperity and the cornerstone of faith,” the Bishops write in the letter.
“The authentic religious teachings invite us to remain rooted in the values of peace, to always be ready to ask forgiveness for our mistakes, and to be ready to forgive others for the evil they have done to us,” they add.
The Bishops cite “the recent apostolic visit of Pope Francis to the Middle East, Thailand and Japan, which promoted a culture of encounter and solidarity” and recognize “the challenges of coexistence among different faiths as we build unity and harmony in the community.”