ASIA/PHILIPPINES – A “private Prelature” for the “migrants of the Gospel” is being studied
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Manila (Agenzia Fides) – The concept of creating a “private Prelature” for Filipino migrants would permit the Church to hold out its pastoral care and missionary work successfully, says Bishop Narciso Abellana, chairman of the Fee for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Folks of the Catholic Bishops’ Convention of the Philippines , in a message launched forward of World Migrant and Refugee Day, celebrated by the Catholic Church on September 24, which has a really particular resonance and significance within the Philippines. In actual fact, the Philippines holds the world report with over 13 million migrants, referred to as “Abroad Filipino Staff” (OFW), who’re greater than 10% of the nationwide inhabitants residing overseas. Migration has been promoted by the federal government for the reason that Nineteen Seventies, primarily as a help for the nationwide economic system: with their remittances, OFWs are an important help for the Gross Home Product and for 1000’s of households. With such a big inhabitants composed primarily of Filipino residents of the Catholic religion, “the institution of a prelature could possibly be notably helpful to accompany Filipino staff overseas, particularly these dwelling in areas with out Catholic chaplaincies”, reminiscent of Saudi Arabia. “The duty and accountability of the Prelature could be to offer religious and pastoral help to those migrants,” famous Bishop Abellana concerning the doable advantages. The controversy inside the Philippine Bishops’ Convention over the proposal to ascertain a private prelature for Filipino migrants has been occurring for not less than three years. The Bishops’ Convention, in the meantime, has arrange a particular fee to hold out additional research and assessments on the proposal earlier than submitting the matter to the Holy See and making a proper request. Consultations are presently underway with the bishops’ conferences of the nations the place Filipino migrants dwell, wherein all authorized and pastoral implications are mentioned and assessed, doable logistical modalities are developed, particular coaching programs are ready for clergymen and the safety of migrants and help in instances of abuse and to make sure their private, human, social and religious well-being, with particular consideration additionally being paid to elevating the attention of Filipino Catholics as missionaries. In lots of contexts, particularly in Western nations the place there’s secularization and decline in spiritual observe, the abroad communities of Filipino Christian migrants are fervent communities of religion that hold hope alive. Within the Netherlands, for instance, Catholic church buildings are full of Filipino migrants and their households on Saturdays and Sundays. Amongst them are some Filipino missionary clergymen who’ve come to Europe to accompany the migrants and the European communities. Additionally in Australia, the Filipino Jesuit Father Nono Alfonso in Melbourne promotes the significance of Filipinos in cultivating the religion within the context of Australian society and emphasizes the significance of their function as missionaries. He calls them “Migrants of the Gospel”, individuals who, animated by the missionary spirit rooted within the Catholic religion, courageously tackle hardships, difficulties and sacrifices, and whose deep religion offers them the power to beat them. On the event of the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, celebrated on Sunday, September 24, 2023, Pope Francis launched a message entitled “Free to decide on whether or not emigrate or to remain”. The authorized type of “private prelature” was launched by the Second Vatican Council. The Council Decree “Presbyterorum Ordinis” (1965) supplies that “for particular pastoral duties amongst completely different social courses to be carried out in a specific space or nation or in any a part of the world,” amongst different establishments, “particular dioceses or Private prelatures” might be created” Private prelatures are led by a priest appointed by the Pope. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 13/9/2023)
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