Vatican Official Calls on Filipino Catholics to Reject False Power, Embrace God’s Strength
SANTA ROSA, Laguna – In a powerful message delivered during the closing Mass of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) plenary assembly, Archbishop Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, urged Filipino Catholics to resist the allure of worldly power and place their unwavering trust in God. He emphasized that the pursuit of power itself is not sinful, but seeking it from sources other than God leads to idolatry and spiritual emptiness. The archbishop warned against placing faith in anything that cannot truly see or hear, highlighting the deceptive nature of power derived from worldly sources.
Archbishop Pagazzi’s homily, delivered at the culmination of the 129th CBCP plenary assembly, resonated deeply with the assembled bishops and faithful. He connected the pursuit of false power to a lack of faith in God’s providence, arguing that every sin stems from a failure to trust in God’s ability to protect and provide. This distrust, he explained, opens the door to seeking solace and strength in fleeting and unreliable sources, ultimately leading to disappointment and spiritual vulnerability.
The archbishop further elaborated on the nature of evil, characterizing it as a force that seeks to diminish humanity’s inherent power as children of God. He described the devil’s insidious influence as an attempt to extinguish courage, silence the energy of hope, and ultimately prevent individuals from realizing their full potential. This, he argued, is a direct assault on the divine spark within each person, a spark that can only be fully ignited through faith and trust in God.
Emphasizing the importance of the Jubilee Year, a period of spiritual renewal and reflection, Archbishop Pagazzi encouraged the faithful to embrace hope and safeguard joy. He warned against succumbing to sadness, which he described as a debilitating force that weakens spiritual fortitude. True joy, he argued, strengthens faith and empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence. He exhorted the congregation to focus on the transformative power of Christ, which offers continuous renewal and restoration.
Archbishop Pagazzi’s visit to the Philippines coincides with the silver jubilee celebration of the Loyola School of Theology as an Ecclesiastical Faculty. His presence at this significant event underscores the Vatican’s commitment to fostering theological education and strengthening the Catholic faith in the Philippines. His message of hope, resilience, and unwavering trust in God served as a powerful reminder of the core principles of the Catholic faith.
The archbishop’s visit and his message come at a crucial time for the Catholic Church in the Philippines, a nation grappling with complex social, political, and economic challenges. His words provided a much-needed source of spiritual guidance and encouragement, reminding the faithful of the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity. His call to reject false idols and embrace the true source of strength and hope resonated deeply with the Filipino Catholic community, offering a path towards spiritual renewal and a deeper connection with God.