Davao hosts CBCP Episcopal Vicars for Clergy Nat’l Confab

DAVAO CITY—Close to 200 delegates from different parts of the Philippines have converged here for the National Convention of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Vicars for the Clergy.

A Eucharistic celebration at the San Pedro Cathedral attended by the delegates was held April 9, to begin the five-day convention.

CBCP President and Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles presided over the Holy Mass.

In his homily, the archbishop said that he is thankful for the Vicars for the Clergy as they make the work of the archbishop easier.

“Thank you so much for being with us, for doing the important task of caring for our priests,” Abp. Valles said, adding that it is the primary responsibility of the bishop to care for his priests.

TREASURE THE GIFT OF PRIESTHOOD

He said that priests must take good care of their treasure and their gift which is their priesthood.

The archbishop also noted that priests should take their roles seriously as proclaimers of the Good News in their Christian community.

He added that a priest must first of all be convinced about God and draw attention to the Lord and not to himself.

Abp. Valles also told the priests to rediscover the sense of sacrifice saying, “This is the will of the Lord, to bear the pain and sacrifice to do the will of the Church, the will of God.”

The archbishop also said to the delegates that they are gifted with their priestly vocation and it is “so wonderful a gift.”

“We come to this Eucharist because in the end it is He who calls us,” he quipped, adding that he hopes that each priest will love the priesthood and each of them will appreciate this gift.

The convention ran until April 13, and had talks and different workshops which were done at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Lanang, Davao City.

The event reflected on the theme: “Renewed Servant-Leaders for the New Evangelization.”