CEBU (RVA News): The Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, the Philippines, said on December 10 that the Church’s care and concern for the poor should go beyond their needs of survival.
The archbishop was speaking at the launch of the Caritas Justice and Peace Programme at the Balamban sports complex in Cebu.
“Our love for the Anawim [the lowly, the faithful remnant of God’s people]—the lost, the least, and the last—goes beyond needs for mere survival’ and, more importantly, for their integral well-being,” he explained.
Archbishop Palma said, “Love for neighbour includes upholding their dignity as fellow human beings and as God’s children,” adding, “this is the true meaning of our faith, and this is the true result of our love.”
More than 90 chapel leaders from the Parish of San Francisco de Assisi and Caritas volunteers from five district parishes took part in the event.
The archbishop also lauded Cebu Caritas for putting together Justice and Peace as one of its faith-based “tripod” programmes through a campaign to teach and inform people at the local level.
He said such a programme will hopefully continue to empower the marginalised, who will become not just passive receivers but active agents of their own well-being and development.
The activity, which carried the theme, Good Governance through People’s Empowerment and Participation, coincided with the worldwide observance of International Human Rights Day, the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In its advocacy statement, the Justice and Peace Programme of Cebu Caritas says, “It is not enough that the Anawim [the lost, the least, and the last] are given aid, relief, food, health care, shelter, and other basic necessities.”
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 statement said, “Through a grassroots-level education and information programme, the Anawim are enabled and empowered to exercise their rights as citizens, to actively participate in governance, and to hold public officials to account.”
Volunteer lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Cebu, and law students from the University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance assisted with the programme by providing free legal services such as consultations, notarisation of simple papers, writing of legal documents, and assistance with national ID registration.
