CBCP to OFWs: Take inspiration from St Paul

MANILA, Philippines - Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should take inspiration from the apostle Paul, whose Jubilee the Catholic Church will celebrate this year, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' head said Tuesday.

CBCP president Angel Lagdameo said that like Paul, OFWs can take every opportunity to be a witness to Christ for every person they meet.

"In particular, OFWs among our faithful can draw a lot of inspiration from the Apostle Paul, who took every opportunity at each time he came into contact with people of other nations, to witness to the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ, often even at the price of so much suffering, persecution, and imprisonment," he said in a pastoral statement posted on his blog site.

Lagdameo said bringing the Good News need not be limited to Christians alone, noting that Paul brought Christ's message to all peoples.

He said Pope Benedict XVI himself pointed out that Paul was ecumenical in his work, leaving no stone unturned in bringing his message to all peoples.

The Pope had dedicated a special Jubilee Year to the apostle Paul, from June 28 this year to June 29, 2009.

At home, Lagdameo urged the Church to mobilize the Filipino faithful so that the Pauline Year may turn into a kairos, a graced occasion, to know and imitate Paul more "in his consuming love for Christ and his zeal to spread the Gospel."

"We call upon all dioceses to come up with their own specific programs for the Pauline Year. The Bishops can designate churches dedicated to St. Paul where the faithful can go on pilgrimage and earn the gift of indulgences after following the requirements of the Church. We call upon Bible scholars to help us appreciate the Pauline Letters, the most precious legacy of the Apostle to the Church, but which many Christians remain unfamiliar to," he said.

He also called on the "Pauline" religious congregations, institutions and shrines to take special initiatives in leading the people to a greater awareness, love, and imitation of St. Paul whose life was wholly directed to Christ. - GMANews.TV

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