CHURCH LEADERS CONCLUDE 132ND CBCP PLENARY ASSEMBLY, URGE GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY AND OUTREACH BEYOND THE 'CHURCH CHOIR'

CONTENT ADVISORY: The following article contains sensitive content. Reader discretion is advised.

Photo: Archdiocesan Marian Shrine of the Birhen sa Cotta - Archdiocese of Ozamis

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) officially concluded its 132nd Plenary Assembly on Friday, following three days of intense deliberations centered on expanding the Church's reach to the margins of society and upholding the rule of law amidst national political developments.

The bi-annual gathering, which ran from July 8 to 10, brought over 80 active and retired prelates to the Archdiocese of Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental. The assembly followed an annual spiritual retreat held from July 3 to 6 focused on deepening ecclesiastical communion and synodality.

A Call to Reach the Peripheries

In his opening address on Wednesday at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Recreation and Adventure Park (AMORAP) in Sinacaban, CBCP President Archbishop Gilbert Garcera challenged church leaders to re-examine the impact of their words.

"Are our pastoral statements reaching only our own 'church choir'?" Archbishop Garcera asked, urging bishops to craft messages that resonate directly with grassroots communities and address the tangible, daily struggles of the marginalized.

This call was echoed by Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad during the introductory liturgies at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where he reminded bishops to "go where the wounds are" by actively accompanying Filipinos experiencing poverty, injustice, and disasters.

Monitoring the Vice President's Impeachment

Addressing pressing political matters, the CBCP clarified its stance regarding the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Speaking to reporters after the assembly's conclusion, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue, emphasized that the Church remains strictly non-partisan but fully invested in constitutional integrity.

"This impeachment process is important," Bishop Bagaforo stated. "It is not a condemnation of our vice president. We are not taking a stand for or against her. What we uphold is the Constitution and the rule of law. Let the rule of law give its own verdict."

Tackling Crisis at Home and Abroad

Throughout the closed-door sessions, the plenary tackled a wide array of escalating social, demographic, and moral challenges affecting local communities. According to CBCP Secretary General Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, key priorities on the docket included:

• Mental Health Crisis: Responding to worsening mental health metrics and rising suicide rates across the provinces.
• Demographic Shifts: Examining the pastoral implications of the country’s steadily declining fertility and birth rates.
• Domestic Abuse: Outlining stronger pastoral care and preventative measures to counter rising instances of sexual abuse, incest, and rape.
• Ecological Advocacy: Formulating localized frameworks for environmental protection and care for creation amid a tightening global energy crisis.

The conference also reviewed ongoing civic engagement programs to address deep-seated issues like political dynasties, public corruption, and regional security concerns in the West Philippine Sea.

Liturgy and Solidarity

The assembly was highlighted by several major liturgical events. Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown, joined the bishops for the opening liturgies, which included the historic episcopal coronation of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción y del Triunfo de la Cruz (Birhen sa Cotta) at the Ozamiz Cathedral.

Demonstrating solidarity with conflict-affected regions, Archbishop Brown and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David traveled to the Territorial Prelature of Marawi in the Bangsamoro region immediately following the assembly’s closing mass on Friday. The apostolic visit marked Cardinal David’s 20th episcopal anniversary, trading traditional celebrations for a direct visit to the community still recovering from the historical 2017 siege.

With the 132nd Plenary Assembly now concluded, the permanent council of the CBCP will assume regular operations, overseeing the implementation of the pastoral directives and forthcoming collective statements drafted during the week’s historic meetings.