MANILA (RVA News): The latest study on nominal and lapsed Catholics in the Philippines shows a significant decrease in the number of Catholics practicing their faith. Father Jason Hubilla Laguerta, the head of the Institute for Research and Development [AIRD] of the Archdiocese of Manila, spearheaded the study, and the results were presented during the 5th General Assembly of SIGNIS Philippines, the World Catholic Association for Communication, on July 15.
The event took place at the Communication Foundation for Asia, a pioneer in the development of communication and a Catholic media centre established in 1968.
“While Catholicism remains the dominant religion, the percentage of active members from other religious groups is more noteworthy,” said Father Laguerta.
Most of the participants in the study were those who were [religious and lay leaders] already actively engaged in the faith.
In the years leading up to 2021, the local Church implemented a nine-year programme aimed at evangelisation. It was to mark and prepare for the 500th anniversary of the establishment of Christianity in the country [1521 to 2021].
One of the key observations Father Laguerta made was that most activities and services of the Church seemingly indicate that Catholics are not able to see the depth of their faith in life
The nine-year journey for the New Evangelisation had a different theme for each year: Integral Faith Formation [2013], the Laity [2014], the Poor [2015], the Eucharist and the Family [2016], the Parish as a Communion of Communities [2017], the Clergy and Religious [2018], the Youth [2019], Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue [2020], and Missio ad gentes [mission to the nations] [2021].
“We realise the importance of the Church delving deep into the grassroots level to be fully present and connect with the people,” Father Laguerta said, adding that what is lacking in most Catholics is the component of witnessing their faith in their lives.
One of the key observations Father Laguerta made was that most activities and services of the Church seemingly indicate that Catholics are not able to see the depth of their faith in life.
“We often find ourselves preaching to the choir,” he observed.
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
He stressed that more innovative ways are needed for Catholic members to translate gospel messages into collective actions of faith through solidarity, charity, and faith-witnessing value in society.
As a Church communicator, it deeply saddens me to witness our failure in effectively reaching out and making a meaningful impact
Tams Tambuyat
Communication Foundation of Asia’s executive director, Ms. Pie Mabanta-Fenomeno, discussed the results of the baseline study on nominal and lapsed Catholics.
She stressed the role of Catholic communicators and how they can scrutinise people’s behaviour and their external expression of faith.
“Let us use communication and media to make sure that God’s love is manifested in us. And in turn, people will be able to use it as a bridge to express their faith throughout the world,” she said.
The 5th General Assembly of Signis Philippines was themed, Synodality: Listening with the Heart.
The chairperson of the Office of Social Communication of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr., said in his homily that “the pope reminds communicators to form our hearts before we communicate so that we may not contribute to the brokenness of this world.”
Bishop Maralit said, “To form our hearts so that we may speak from the heart. That even if we express the truth, the truth is spoken with love. Not with hatred, not with judgment, but with the heart that understands and the heart that is filled with compassion.”
Speaking about the Synod of Synodality, Father Laguerta explained, saying, “We are on a journey to becoming synodal. It will never be completed in our lifetime. Synodality is not just a one-time, big-time project of Pope Francis; it is who we are as a Church. This is our identity. This is our style of being Church.”
“As a Church communicator, it deeply saddens me to witness our failure in effectively reaching out and making a meaningful impact,” said Tams Tambuyat, a layperson who attended the presentation of the study.
