Catholic bishops speak as one

Today 5 February 2017, as agreed on January 29 the second day of the bishops’ annual assembly at the Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, the Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines on the issue of illegal drugs will be read during the Sunday Masses and anticipated Masses. The original approved draft was in Tagalog and as agreed also in other regional languages, namely Ilocano, Kapangpangan, Bicolano, Ilonggo, Cebuano, Waray and English (for the international media).

The Statement is addressed mainly to the people, especially to Catholics. For them as members of the Church the bishops in issuing the Statement are exercising their obligation as spiritual and moral guides. They are obligated to do this “in season and out of season”, meaning, always. And they know that they do this regardless of the consequences. In other words, they are not afraid of any opposition and threats against their personal lives. They know that this was already predicted as part of the Beatitudes (Mt 5) and their acceptance of the threat was part of their solemn promise at their ordination as bishops.

I suggest for the priests, religious and lay people to get a copy and reflect on them seriously and assiduously. And discern on how they can respond courageously to the bishops’ pastoral letter.