Dialogue, Communion and Mission with Indigenous Peoples

Today, October 11 is Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday. Since October of 1978, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines spearheads the remembrance of the plight of our brothers and sisters who are indigenous.

If the Catholic Church is universal, it is but just proper for her calling to look after the salvation of not only her baptized faithful but also the indigenous peoples. We can concretely show our support to this mission thru our Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Davao and the respective offices in the Dioceses of Tagum, Digos and Mati in our sub-region. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Florencio Acedo, Jr. and his staff here in Davao, who are in Sirib, in St. Francisco de Asis parish today in celebrating this day with our dear brethren.

With the theme for this year’s celebration, “Dialogue, Communion and Mission with Indigenous Peoples”, we need to listen to them and learn from their goodness as we also share the good that we have. As we close the Year for Inter-religious Dialogue, Ecumenism and Indigenous Peoples, may we renew our zeal for building a true community of faith, hope and love.

May St. Francis pray for us!