A Call To Action for All Lay Leaders

Davao City, June 16, 2024 – The Regional Lay Leaders Conference convened on for two days at the Pinnacle Hotel Davao, drawing participants from the dioceses of Mati, Tagum, Digos, Marbel, Kidapawan, and Davao.

The conference aimed to strengthen the faith and unity of the lay community, addressing their roles and the challenges faced by the Church today.

The event began with opening remarks from Rene Joseph Boilaser, who emphasized the need for such gatherings. “We are here because we tend to forget,” he stated, highlighting the importance of standing up and speaking out on issues affecting the Church.

Brother Ed Pacana addressed the vital role of lay leaders in fortifying the community’s faith. He raised a critical question: “What is the problem with the Church today?” He noted that topics like demonology are no longer taught in seminaries, pointing to a gap in religious education.

The conference aimed to reconnect, encourage, and empower lay leaders, strengthening their voices and fostering unity. Xavier Padilla, a 49-year-old president of lay leaders from Calbayog, Samar, and Leyte provinces, shared his insights on Laiko (the laity).

With 27 years of experience as a full-time missionary, Padilla discussed the role of lay leaders within the Church’s structure and his experience as the Public Information Officer (PIO).

Padilla described lay leaders as “sleeping giants” who need to become more vocal and active. “Ninety percent of Catholics in the Church are lay people,” he reminded attendees, emphasizing their crucial role.

Addressing contemporary issues, Padilla discussed the Church’s stance on divorce and the conversion of Catholics to other faiths due to a lack of evangelistic efforts.

He also touched on modern challenges like sex reassignment surgery and the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) bill, warning against the uncritical adoption of Western ideologies.

The conference concluded with a call to action for lay leaders to become missionary disciples, reaching out to people and uplifting their faith daily. “We are the laity!” Padilla declared, urging participants to bring people back to the Church and to be proactive in their evangelistic efforts.

The Regional Lay Leaders Conference marked a significant step towards empowering lay leaders, fostering unity, and addressing the challenges faced by the Church. It provided a platform for open dialogue, strategic planning, and a renewed commitment to strengthening the voice and presence of the lay community in religious and societal matters. (Millene Jewel Martiniano – AdDU Intern)

No Comments

Post A Comment