MSPC XVI: The ‘Comeback’

Davao City—‘Atruly Mindanaoan flavor’. The Mindanao Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC), a unique, one and only forum, not evident in the areas of Visayas and Luzon will return to its birthplace—the Archdiocese of Davao. After 46 years, MSPC will return here in Davao City to hold another forum which will enrich the lives of Mindanao community. Themed as “Parish as Communion of Communities” this 16th MSPC gathering will be attended by various representatives from 21 Archdioceses and Dioceses with 5 sub-regions namely Archdiocese of Davao, Diocese of Digos, Mati, and Tagum (DADITAMA), Diocese of Kidapawan, Marbel, and Archdiocese of Cotabato (KIDMACO), Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Diocese of Butuan, Surigao, Tandag and Malaybalay (CABUSTAM), Diocese of Dipolog, Iligan, Pagadian, and Prelature of St. Mary’s-Marawi, and Archdiocese of Ozamiz (DOPIM), Archdiocese of Zamboanga, Diocese of Ipil, Prelature of Isabela, and Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo (ZAMBASULI) on October 16-20, 2017 at Waterfront Insular Hotel.

The Archbishop of Davao Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. who is spearheading the preparations for the success of the conference is overjoyed to host once again this event, “Dakung responsibilidad kini, dakung gasa kini nga kita maoy mudawat sa maong dakong hitabo pastoral diha sa atong Simbahan. Usa ka butang nga akong ipahinumdom kaninyo niining gutlua, nga ayaw kalimti nga ang una niining talagsaon nga lihok sa Mindanao gihimo diri sa Arkidayosis sa Dabaw. Busa usa kini ka dakung dungog nga sa makausab, pahitaboon dinhi sa Archdiocese sa Davao,” he said.

The Diocesan Clergy of Davao together with some dedicated lay leaders also assisted, and this is a great sign of growth in the local church of Davao for the main bulk of people working for the success of the conference are coming from the Diocesan Clergy.

It must be understood that MSPC is a forum of ideas among the local churches here in the islands of Mindanao-Sulu. Happens once in every three years, the forum is mainly focused on some pastoral concerns in which the participants share their experiences which will enrich the other leaders of the church. The living experiences of the church leaders in Mindanao-Sulu when shared and reflected upon will enrich everyone in the process. In this way, the image of “communion between churches” is enhanced, and it will further deepen the bonding among those people working in the different local churches here in Mindanao. Since it is only a forum, hence it does not follow that whatever is discussed during the conference is already binding in each Diocese. The conference can make pastoral recommendations, set priorities, and facilitate the exchange of ideas but these have no binding power over the Bishops in their own Diocese.

Now that the MSPC comes back to its place of birth, it is our privilege and joy to be once again a part of this historic and unique event in the Mindanao church. The Archdiocese of Davao is indeed blessed because in its preparations it received tremendous support from the City Government officials of Davao through security and other means. Together with our Archbishop – Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. and his Auxiliary Bishop Most Rev. George B. Rimando, D.D. we hope and pray for the success of the MSPC XVI.

The first MSPC gathering took place on November 17-21, 1971. It was the Most Rev. Antonio Ll. Mabutas, D.D. who hosted the conference with the theme – “Building Christian Communities: Worshipping, Teaching, Serving.” (Msgr. Abel C. Apigo)