MANILA (SE): Following two years of study, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines [CBCP] will decide on a proposal to establish a personal prelature for Filipino migrants, during their plenary meeting which runs from July 9 to 11, CBCPNews reported.
Monsignor Bernardo Pantin, secretary general of the episcopal conference, said the proposal would be on the table for decision.
“If the decision is affirmative, the proposal will be sent to Rome for approval,” Father Pantin said.
A personal prelature is a Church jurisdiction without geographical boundaries designed to carry out particular pastoral initiatives The authority to establish an ecclesiastical territory rests with the Vatican, but only after consultation with the bishops’ conference concerned.
Monsignor Pantin explained that a personal prelature for Filipino migrants would have its own bishop and priests who will minister to Filipinos abroad, according to CBCPNews.
“This is unique… if approved it will be a first in the whole Church,” he said.
As of 2019, the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs estimates that there are over 10 million Filipinos overseas, three million of whom are temporary migrants or overseas Filipino workers [OFWs].
Discussion began in January 2020 after Father Agustin Opalalic, a Filipino priest serving in the Diocese of San Diego in the US, discussed the necessity of such a prelature with the CBCP.
Father Opalalic explained, “This is really to take care of Filipinos all over the world,” adding, “The priests will not just go to their places as guests but as their pastors.”
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
The Philippine bishops created an ad hoc committee composed of four episcopal commissions: canon law, migrants, clergy and seminaries to study the proposal, CBCPNews reported.
“If this happens, there will be Filipino priests who will be assigned to their places. This priest will be trained, formed, and oriented so that they can take care of them,” Father Opalalic said.
