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Filipina theologian Estela Padilla participated in the Synod of Bishops on Synodality in October last year at the Vatican. In this interview, Padilla talks about her experiences with the Synod, the BEC, and the controversial issues.
During the 2023 Synod on Synodality, inquiries surfaced regarding the participation of women in the Church. The Synod members recognized a need for structural renewal to create a Church where women and men dialogue.
The various Easter traditions-Salubong, Via Lucis and the processions-vary across regions and communities, but collectively, they reflect the deeply rooted religious and cultural significance of Easter in the Philippines.
In many parishes, three processions are held during Holy Week: the procession of the Passion usually held on Holy Wednesday, the Santo Entierro on Good Friday, and the Salubong on Easter Sunday. In some parishes, the first two processions are combined and held on Good Friday.
Every year, Catholics commemorate and make present the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. It is prepared for 40 days during the season of Lent and goes on until Holy Thursday. In Filipino Catholicism, this is marked by religious traditions where faith and culture intertwine.
The life of Fr. Stan is a testimony to the defense of the human rights of underprivileged peasants in India. His sentence and subsequent death in prison raised an outcry all over the world, but his inspiring witness to righteousness keeps the flame of justice alive
Christians and other minorities in the “world’s largest democracy” are at the mercy of an ideology that is “inspired by Nazism, fascism, and apartheid,” says Cedric Prakash, Jesuit priest, one of the country’s most uncomfortable activists.
India can already rely on a well-educated, English-speaking middle class, which has helped the country develop sectors such as pharmaceuticals and information technology. To consolidate its rise, it will need to sustain the growth of the manufacturing sector and become an export powerhouse. Will it be able to do so?
The providential discovery (kaplag) of the sacred image of the Santo Niño in 1565 started off the systematic evangelization of the Philippines. The missionary endeavors of the pioneering congregations contributed to the Philippine identity as a predominantly Christian nation.
The image of Santo Niño is a symbol of Filipino devotion. This devotion is rooted in pious traditions and the history of Catholicism in the Philippines.
The Synod on synodality, which took place in October last year, marked a significant development in the participation of laypeople, particularly women, who were invited to attend and granted voting rights. In fact, 54 women, including Estela Padilla, a theologian from the Philippines, were able to vote in the Synod. This inclusivity allowed for a diverse range of perspectives from women, young people, and other lay individuals, enabling them to actively participate in the decision-making process.
The declaration Fiducia Supplicans does not change the Church’s doctrine but marks a shift of pastoral outlook by responding to the spiritual needs of many couples who do not live in a sacred marriage.
The missionaries did not abandon the people under their care; rather, they stayed on risking their lives because of Jesus Christ, the love of the mission, and the love of the people.
In a recent interview, Pope Francis called upon world leaders to “stop the bombs and missiles now.” He appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated his conviction that dialogue is the sole path toward a peaceful future.
As we journey on, let us share the presence and love of God wherever we go and in whatever we say or do. May we become witnesses to God’s presence in this dark and lonely world.
The number of young Filipinos who contemplated ending their life and attempting suicide is on the rise. Now more than ever, parents, schools and other stakeholders must work together to prevent youth suicide.
Opposition to the document detailing blessings for people in irregular situations has sometimes been attributed to anti-Francis movements. The reality is more complex and merits reflection about the future and what kind of a Church the Holy Father is calling us to be.
In today’s world, we need bridge-builders who possess a broad perspective, listen attentively, and advocate for a multi-disciplinary approach in engaging with diverse perspectives.
There is an urgent need for legislation establishing the children’s court system and more government-funded therapeutic homes for healing and empowering child abuse victims.
Mano po is a gesture of respect for an older person, regardless of gender, status in life, local or foreign, that is uniquely Filipino. The goal of this article is to help us understand that this gesture is strictly Filipino.
The Christians in the World is an anonymous letter to a well-wisher by the name of Diognetus, describing the way of life of the followers of Christ. The details have a surprising contemporary application.
Abraham’s “Yes,” trusting in God’s word to him, should be a source of inspiration for all of Jesus’ missionary disciples.
Hailing from Sorsogon, Bicol, Fr. Margarito recounts how the exposure to Church life since early age and later on to challenging situations of mission and exclusion confirmed his desire to be a Comboni missionary for life.
Note: Answer after having consulted the biblical quote
Published work from the World Mission Community
Published work from the World Mission Community
The articles and content from the March 2024 Issue
The articles and content from the January 2024 Issue
The declaration Fiducia Supplicans does not change the Church’s doctrine but marks a shift of pastoral outlook by responding to the spiritual needs of many couples who do not live in a sacred marriage.
Every year, Catholics commemorate and make present the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. It is prepared for 40 days during the season of Lent and goes on until Holy Thursday. In Filipino Catholicism, this is marked by religious traditions where faith and culture intertwine.
In many parishes, three processions are held during Holy Week: the procession of the Passion usually held on Holy Wednesday, the Santo Entierro on Good Friday, and the Salubong on Easter Sunday. In some parishes, the first two processions are combined and held on Good Friday.
The various Easter traditions-Salubong, Via Lucis and the processions-vary across regions and communities, but collectively, they reflect the deeply rooted religious and cultural significance of Easter in the Philippines.
The vast majority of Catholics do not speak up and act out on behalf of countless suffering brothers and sisters. To go against this “culture of indifference,” believers are called upon to protect and enhance the life and dignity of all human beings.
Four religious people have chosen to live in a hermitage community in southeastern Philippines for silence and solitude and to spark interest among people in preserving nature and making it even more productive.
We can truly live a meaningful life under the guidance of the Master, Jesus Christ. The three words that will help us achieve this objective are service, sacrifice, and sharing.
We have seen a dangerous escalation in the Middle East because of the war in Gaza. Iran has attacked targets in Iraq and Pakistan. The Houthis are targeting ships in the Red Sea. Hezbollah and Israel are exchanging fire across the Lebanese border. Does religion have anything to do with it?
A group of scientists recently published a report which states that the Earth’s ‘vital signs’ are the worst in human history. Instead of pursuing war and slaughtering thousands of people around the world, we should be focusing on the distressing signs of our planet.
On the whole, the society of the Roman Empire had a poor concept of Christianity. To fight the prejudices and show the real face of the new religion, the Christian philosopher Saint Justin martyr invented the Apology.
In light of the overwhelming surge of migrants, numerous countries are implementing laws to tighten immigration controls. Pope Francis, in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, pleads on their behalf, calling for a compassionate and benevolent approach towards migrants.
St. Joseph’s strong witness can guide us in our Christian life. He suggests three keywords for our vocational journey: dream, service, and fidelity.
Fr. Noel Sakie, a Comboni missionary priest from Togo, shares his vocation story. He recalls how being an altar server and participating in a Charismatic group were decisive in discovering his vocation to missionary life.
Not long ago, relations between Church and State in Mexico were tense. One of the laws was the absolute prohibition on clergy to wear ecclesiastical clothes and to perform religious functions outside the church. On Ash Wednesday, I was invited by the parish priest of a poor and densely populated district of the capital to administer ashes in one of the various chapels of the parish.
Archbishop Charles Brown (in photo), the papal nuncio to the Philippines, has echoed Pope Francis’ call for a “Year of Prayer” to help Catholics prepare for the 2025 Jubilee. Addressing the Philippine bishops at their plenary assembly last January, he encouraged them “to find ways” in their own dioceses to implement the special year.
The American magazine Forbes has published its popular annual list, highlighting influential women in fields such as science, fashion, economics, and human rights. The 2024 edition includes Sr. Nathalie Becquart (in photo), X.M.C.J., a Catholic sister who serves as undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.
Two out of every five Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination on religious grounds in Asia, the largest region of the world affected by this issue, followed by Africa (one in five) and Latin America (one in 16). On a global scale, more than 365 million Christians are persecuted (one in seven), the highest figure in the last 31 years.
Human Rights Watch, a global rights group, has slammed governments in Asia for an increase in repression and human rights violations in its World Report 2024. The report blasted Asian governments for various forms of human rights abuses.
The goings-on happening in the world today.
The goings-on happening in the world today.
A three-day Global Alliance for Banking on Values summit, with the participation of about 70 ethical banks from across the world, wrapped up in northern Italy with a call to embrace the principles of Ethical Finance for the good of humanity and the planet.
The Archdiocese of Colombo has the ardent desire to begin the process of canonization of 171 Catholic faithful killed in the terrorist attack on Easter Sunday 2019, in order to honor their “martyrs of the faith.”
“The intervention of the international community is urgent, otherwise a point of no return will be reached and the dead will be counted in the thousands,” said Father Massimo Miraglio, Camillian Missionary.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig has started the cause for beatification and canonization of Laureana “Ka Luring” Franco (in photo), a Filipina catechist with two supposed miracles already under her name.
Human Rights Watch, a global rights group, has slammed governments in Asia for an increase in repression and human rights violations in its World Report 2024. The report blasted Asian governments for various forms of human rights abuses.
Two out of every five Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination on religious grounds in Asia, the largest region of the world affected by this issue, followed by Africa (one in five) and Latin America (one in 16). On a global scale, more than 365 million Christians are persecuted (one in seven), the highest figure in the last 31 years.
The American magazine Forbes has published its popular annual list, highlighting influential women in fields such as science, fashion, economics, and human rights. The 2024 edition includes Sr. Nathalie Becquart (in photo), X.M.C.J., a Catholic sister who serves as undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.
Archbishop Charles Brown (in photo), the papal nuncio to the Philippines, has echoed Pope Francis’ call for a “Year of Prayer” to help Catholics prepare for the 2025 Jubilee. Addressing the Philippine bishops at their plenary assembly last January, he encouraged them “to find ways” in their own dioceses to implement the special year.
The Holy Father wants a year in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee that will help “stimulate prayer with simplicity and in accordance with Christ’s heart.” Pope Francis has announced that the year 2024, in preparation for the Jubilee 2025, will be dedicated to prayer.
Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland, Dermot Farrell (in photo) has condemned the “indiscriminate use of force against civilians,” saying that the binding moral and international legal standards of the Geneva Conventions are clearly being violated.
Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Marek Zalewski (in photo) as the first resident pontifical representative, nearly half a century after Vietnam severed ties with the Vatican following the communist takeover of the south of the country in 1975.
The annual report from the Pontifical Mission Societies’ Fides News agency includes two Filipino pastoral workers killed in the massacre at the Marawi State University on December 3, 2023. A total of 20 missionaries were killed around the world in 2023.
Meeting in the Vatican, Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals agreed on the need to listen to the “the feminine aspect” of the Church, especially at the local level, “so that processes of reflection and decision making can benefit from the irreplaceable contribution of women.”
The bomb explosion at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City during the celebration of the Eucharist on the first Sunday of Advent which killed four people and injured 50 has sent fear through the local Christian community.
Christian families are leaving Syria en masse because of growing societal problems, such as extreme poverty and an education system in crisis, Archbishop Jacques Mourad (in photo) of Homs told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
