Beyond Borders of Faith and Mission

Is there any boundary in our mission? Why reach out to other religions?

In declaring the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy which opens on December 8, 2015, Pope Francis exhorts us to go beyond borders.

The Pope writes: “There is an aspect of mercy that goes beyond the confines of the Church. It relates us to Judaism and Islam, both of which consider mercy to be one of God’s most important attributes… Among the privileged names that Islam attributes to the Creator are “Merciful and Kind”. This invocation is often on the lips of faithful Muslims who feel themselves accompanied and sustained by mercy in their daily weakness. They too believe that no one can place a limit on divine mercy because its doors are always open.”

The Pope hopes that as believers, we continue our mission to be open to others as he says: “I trust that this Jubilee year celebrating the mercy of God will foster an encounter with these religions and with other noble religious traditions; may it open us to even more fervent dialogue so that we might know and understand one another better; may it eliminate every form of closed-mindedness and disrespect, and drive out every form of violence and discrimination.”

In response to this call, the Archdiocese of Davao headed by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D. joined our Muslim brethren in Sirawan, Toril in celebrating Eid’l Fitr last July 17.

The Archbishop felt the warm welcome of our Muslim brethren led by Aleem Omar Abdullah Mayo, presider and preacher, who invited him together with Imam Jafar Deporos to join the fellowship after the prayer. “It is very peaceful here in Sirawan,” the Archbishop said.

“The Kalagans of Sirawan were so warm in welcoming Archbishop Muloy Valles and companion priests and lay leaders. This is an indicator of maturity in inter-religious dialogue that we have achieved in Davao,” said Fr. Lamata, Director of the Archdiocesan Commission on Ecumenical and Inter-religious Dialogue (ACEID).

Over time, the Muslim community of Sirawan sends representatives during ecumenical and inter-religious prayers and meetings initiated by ACEID for various faiths and religions in the Archdiocese. Families of the same community have also hosted immersion activities by the seminarians from the REMASE since 2002 until present.

We expect more improvement in the future. “Next year, we will also visit other Muslim communities, put up tarpaulins expressing our oneness with them and invite Aleem Mayo to speak at DXGN FM about their faith so that more people will understand their culture,” the inspired Archbishop said.

Together with Archbishop Valles were Fr. Leif Simbajon, Parochial Vicar of Sto. Rosario Parish, who did his immersion in Sirawan as a seminarian, Fr. Ritsche Gamaya who hails from Sirawan, and students of Ignatian Institute for Religious Education Foundation, Incorporated (IIREF).

Aleem Mayo, who was equally elated by the visit of Archbishop Valles, preached before about 3,000 believers in the open plaza of Toril National High School exhorting his fellow Muslims to “continue the good they have done as they fought against evil during the past Ramadhan.”

If, like ourselves, our Muslim brethren aim for the good, can we allow conflicts to limit our mission of compassion within the confines of the Church? Can we afford to become tired of reaching out to other religions?