In the Philippines, the Focus is on Education in the Faith

“All have been baptized, but many have not been catechized”—starting with this point, H.E. Msgr. Jesse E. Mercado, the Bishop of Parañaque—in the Archdiocese of Manila, Philippines—, in an interview with the Franciscans of Mary for our Dicastery. He spoke about the situation in his diocese, which has 52 parishes for about 1.5 million Catholics.

“There is a great need for education in the faith among families and also the youth,” the bishop continues, highlighting the role of the laity in supporting the faith of the people: “We focus on building small basic ecclesial communities within each parish, so that there we may involve our families in praying, in celebrating the sacraments, and to experience communion among themselves. Involvement and participation—he underlines—become important key elements in the education in the faith.”

As for young people, they are grouped by age (from 13 to 20 years, and from 21 onwards); their formation is treated in the family up to a certain point and then in the lay movements: “Once they have been formed and helped by the renewed communities, they go back to the parish because in that way the parish becomes a center of formation thanks to those who have been formed and, so, can help others to grow in faith.”