Clergy, laity gab set for Tuesday

CEBU, Philippines - The Archdiocese of Cebu will hold the Cebu Clergy and Laity Conference on Tuesday.

With the theme “Bonding for Growth in Grace as Body of Christ: A gathering of Shepherds and Sheeps,” the event is a joint project of the Archdiocesan Sub-commission on the ongoing formation of priests, Archdiocesan Council of the Laity, and Archdiocesan Service Committee of Catholic Charismatic Committee.

Claudio Cardinal Hummes, Archbishop Emeretus of Sao Paulo, said the conference aims to help give flesh and substance and direction to the Archdiocesan thrust to grow “together in grace as the body of Christ.”

It also seeks to recognize and appreciate the presence and pastoral initiatives of different communities and sectors as partners and stakeholders in building up the body of Christ.

In celebration of the Year of Priesthood, Hummes said every priest has been committed to celebrate it with determination, sincerity and importance.

“May this be an occasion for a period of intense appreciation of the priestly identity, of the theology of the Catholic priesthood and of the extraordinary meaning of the vocation and mission of priests in this striving for spiritual perfection on which the effectiveness of their ministry depends,” Hummes said.

“May it be a year as well of religious and of public celebration which will bring the people- the local Catholic community- to pray, to reflect, to celebrate and justly to give honor to their priests,” Hummes added.

The Archdiocese of Cebu is also celebrating the Diamond Jubilee Year and the Year of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary for Peace-Building and Lay Participation in Social Change. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)