Mindanao laypeople launch year of the poor

More than a hundred and fifty lay delegates from different archdioceses and dioceses in Mindanao assembled at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal for the culmination of the ‘Year of Laity’ last December 12-15, 2014.

Directions were set toward the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in 2021. The ‘Year of the Poor’ for was officially launched as the Kahiusahan sa mga Layko sa Mindanao (KALAMI) reiterated its vision as “Mindanao Church living the Gospel values of being truly a ‘Church of the Poor’ where the lay are empowered in responding to the calls of the signs of the times towards the attainment of a just and humane society where peace and justice prevail”.

The laypeople assembled in the said 9th Mindanao lay gathering to advocate for the social teachings of the Church through education and formation of the laity, and to promote Kingdom-works through the spirit of partnership in responding to social issues and concerns.

Inspired by Davao Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando who opened the assembly with the Holy Eucharist, lay delegates realized the threatening realities of the current burning issues on “Climate Change” as presented by Aksyon Klima Neth Daño, and on “Human Trafficking” as presented by Lingap Pangkabataan Chairperson Nancy Nicolas.

The simple keynote of Butuan Bishop Zacharias Jimenez on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, “Evangelii Gaudium”, helped lay delegates understand the joy of the Gospel. Davao Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla’s keynote on the “Church Peace Initiatives in Mindanao”, as well as former Congressman Joel Virador’s impressive details on the “Quest for Just Peace”, overwhelmed the lay delegates on the confronting issues and current situation of peace in Mindanao and the Philippines.

Reenergized and reinvigorated at looking forward at the Year of the Poor, lay delegates from Iligan, Ipil, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Arakan, Tampakan, Calumpang, Polomolok, Lupon, Tarraguna, Lambajon, Compostela Valley, Pantukan, Matan-ao, and Davao City, together redefined and reviewed their role in Kingdom-works in the Church and the society.

The sharing of experiences of lay delegates with the parishioners after the celebration of Kasaulogan sa Pulong intensified their solidarity and belongingness. OLLP Parish Priest Father Dexter C. Veloso, in his celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the parish and in the IKP GKK, encored the lay delegates and prayed for their continuing service and commitment to the Catholic Church.