Abp. Valles leads Philippine bishops to 14th Synod of Bishops

Manila, March 26, 2015—Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles will lead the Philippine bishops to the 14th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops slated for October 4 to 25, 2015 at the Vatican.

The list of members and substitutes were ratified by Pope Francis on March 17, according to the Vatican Information Service (VIS).

Aside from Archbishop Valles, Cebu Archbishop Jose Serofia Palma and Daet Bishop Gilbert Armea Garcera were named members. Also named substitutes were San Fernando de Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio Siongco David and Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Javellana Ledesma, SJ.

The theme for this synod is “The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and in the Contemporary World.” The members of the synod will deliberate on the findings from a survey made in late 2014 about the state of families worldwide.

According the General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Lorenzo Cardinal Baldisseri, the final document of the III Extraordinary General Assembly held in October 2014 called “Relatio Synodi”, will be preparatory document or “Lineamenta” of this forthcoming XIV Ordinary General Assembly. (Melo M. Acuña / CBCPNews)