National Congress of Filipino Priests Underway

Over 5 thousand priests attended the meeting organized by the Conference of Bishops on the occasion of the Year for Priests.

MANILA (AsiaNews) - Entrusting oneself to Christ's love, serving the Church and renewing pastoral zeal. This is the aim of over 5 thousand priests who are participating in the Second National Congress of Filipino priests entitled "Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests " being held from January 25 to World Trade Centre in Pasay City (Manila).

The six day meeting is marked by prayer retreats, seminars and testimonials. It was organized by the Filipino bishops' conference on the occasion of the Year for Priests and will end on 29 January.

"This conference is an opportunity for priests to remember their need to live and act for Christ," says Fr. Fernando Caprio vicar of the church of the Nazarene of Quiapo (Manila).

"All the priests" - he adds - "are called to rediscover the mystery of the priesthood, with love, faith and charity to be like Christ. Not only to celebrate the sacraments in their churches. "

According to Father Caprio the meeting is primarily a way to help each priest to better understand their mission.

The first national conference of priests was organized in 2004. The event involved about 3 thousand priests and was centred on the theme: "A renewed clergy, a renewed Church, a renewed nation".

The 2010 Assembly also exceeded the expectations of the organizers with 5 thousand to 7 thousand priests resident in the country participating.

It also saw the participation of Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the Papal Household in charge of organising the moments of retreat and Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement. The latter is on an official visit to the Philippines and will speak to the assembly on 28 January.

Meanwhile, today the priests donated over 20 thousand Euros for the earthquake victims in Haiti and called on all the faithful to continue collections in the various parishes of the country.