22nd National Bible Congress held in Cebu

The 22nd National Bible Congress initiated by the Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) was held in Golden Prince Hotel, Cebu City, February 5-8, 2018.

Some 245 priests, nuns and lay men and women delegates and affiliates represented the 60 participating dioceses throughout the country and reflected on the theme “Becoming servant-leaders of the Word in the Church today.”

This theme is inspired by the theme of CBCP’s 7th year preparation of the celebration of the 500th year of Christianity on the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons.

In behalf of Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, D.D., archbishop of Cebu, the Most Rev. Dennis Villarojo, D.D., auxiliary bishop, opened the event with the Holy Eucharist emphasizing in his homily that “we should give importance to the substance and not the peelings,” as he refers to the content of our proclamation today and not only the process. “I am not against the bible enthronement but we should read the bible,” he added.

Sr. Miriam Alejandrino, OSB, Fr. Adonis Aguino, and Mr. Noe Dora were among the line up of speakers.

The Most Rev. Sofronio Bancud, D.D., bishop of Cabanatuan and ECBA chairman writes, “Ultimately, as baptized Christians, we are all challenged to read and understand the Sacred Scriptures because it is only from the Word of God that we can derive the very essence of servant-leadership.”

Held every two years now, the last workshop was held in General Santos.