Indigenous Peoples

It is essential to draw near to new forms of poverty and vulnerability, in which we are called to recognize the suffering Christ, even if this appears to bring us no tangible and immediate benefits. I think of the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned, and many others” (EG 210).

Pope Francis calls us to enhance our identity as Church, to journey with the poor and the vulnerable. Among them are the indigenous peoples who are given importance as we celebrate today the Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday. As Church, we cannot remain indifferent to them since our Lord Jesus Christ identifies with them. We cannot be who we are unless we break from our apathy in their plight as minority in this part of the country.

If we only learn from our brothers and sisters Lumads, we will be connected once again with creation. They teach us a lot in taking care of our common home, God’s creation. They make us realize the Creator’s presence in His creation, and therefore return to respecting whatever we see around us.

Let our office of the Indigenous Peoples Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Davao, headed by Rev. Fr. Florencio Acedo, Jr., with his hardworking staff gain our support as the Church reaches out to them through scholarship programs, water system and health care projects, to mention a few. May no one among us feel excluded, especially our brethren the Indigenous Peoples, from the fold of society in our journey as God’s beloved people.