National Synodal Consultation

Last July 4, 2022 Monday, was the first day of the National Synodal Consultation held at the Carmelite Missionaries Retreat House in Tagaytay City which lasted until Thursday, July 7. Invited were 87 lay delegates from the different (Arch)Dioceses and the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, 38 Priests, 2 Deacons, 6 nuns, and 92 Bishops. Among the invited were: Eduardo B. Pacana (Davao), Edgar Allan P. Draculan (Digos), Cynthia Masinaring (Tagum), Dr. Edito Sumile (Mati), Caryl Yntong (Tagum), Fr. Edilberto Mahinay (Mati), Fr. Jaime Ozoa (Tagum), Fr. Rico Dingal (Digos), Bp. Guillermo V. Afable (Digos), Bp. George B. Rimando (Davao), Bp. Medel S. Aseo (Tagum) and Bp. Abel C. Apigo (Mati) as members of the DADITAMA Metropolitan Synodal Team.

Each Metropolitan Group presented their Synodal Synthesis Report, and these became the bases for the group sharings that followed. This event hopes to facilitate the preparation of the National Synodal Synthesis Report. More importantly, this event hopes to facilitate a Synodal experience among the Bishops/Religious/Laity from all over the country guided by the Word of God.

In the words of Sir Eddie Pacana he said, “I have really appreciated the grace-filled encounters with lay representatives, priests, and Bishops from other Metropolitan teams. The Bishops, in particular, have been very candid and authentic in sharing their inputs. It was a joy and a welcome relief to deal with them from a casual, although not flippant manner during our group sharing.”

We continue to pray that the Holy Spirit fill the hearts and minds of all participants as they finalize the synthesis for the synodal report. (Photos courtesy Synod Philippines)