SCL Holds Virtual Clergy Convocation
The coping mechanisms amidst the coronavirus pandemic and militarized harassment of church workers were the dominating messages of this year’s South-Central Luzon’s Virtual Clergy Convocation. A historic first, the annual gathering convened online the clergy from the nine dioceses belonging to the SCL Bishops Conference. Held in their respective local churches and connected only by Zoom, the one-day assembly on November 9, 2020 (Monday) was met with mixed reactions of delight and gloom due to the departure from the yearly usual face-to-face encounters normally lasting four days of worship, study, recreation, and camaraderie.
Focusing on the theme, “Serving with joy and generosity in midst of affliction and repression” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5), the clergy listened to the messages given by His Eminence, the Obispo Maximo Rhee Millena Timbang, and the guest speaker, the Rt. Rev. Ruel Marigza, NCCP’s General Secretary and UCCP Bishop. The National Priests Organization leadership, represented by the Rev. Father Jonash Joyohoy, Governor-General, and the Rev. Father Cesar Hilario, SCL Regional Director, also graced the occasion from their respective locations.
At 8:30 AM, the Convocation started with the Holy Eucharist with the Rt. Rev. Rowel Arevalo, SCL Chair and Bishop of Laguna, as celebrant and preacher, held at their diocesan cathedral. However, technical difficulties impaired the audio transmission of his homily. (Hopefully, the transcript of his homily will soon be available online.) Subsequently, the OM’s address was delivered and then followed by a brief break. Then at 11:15 AM, the keynote speaker, Bishop Ruel Marigza, gave his message on the churches’ humanitarian response amidst this now “new normal” situation. At 12:30 PM, the general body paused for a lunch break, and resumed its business at 1:30 PM.
In responding to the Convocation theme, the Obispo Maximo summed up thus, “Live in good works and make Christ present in our midst.” His three-point message focused on: (1) Deepening understanding of our vocation – as ordained ministers (bishops, priests, deacons) – set apart as servants for all; (2) Motivations/Goals of the clergy – joy in service especially for the voiceless and marginalized and generosity shown inward and outward in gratitude for God’s mercy and love; and (3) Challenges of the times – obedience to the commissioning of God in Christ amidst the pandemic and vilification of church workers. He concluded with the affirmation that the IFI will serve the Lord -- despite the threat, intimidation, and repression -- within our National Program and will accompany our struggling people. He offered a prayer invoking God’s blessings and empowerment for the people amidst the persecution and economic meltdown, without wavering in our social advocacy and loving service by building up our dioceses through solidarity, immersion, and providing a sanctuary for people in danger and for evacuation.
Bishop Marigza, on his part, explained the challenges faced by his church, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), in coping with the pandemic through live-streamed worship (including virtual funerals, agape meals of families at home, communion fasting) and financial hardships (Shalom Center closed). He gave a brief situationer on the human rights violations in the country, the prohibitions of peaceful assembly, and the red-tagging of NCCP and officials of member-churches. His message to the clergy was summed up (to wit): (1) Give first to the Lord, then give to others; (2) If you excel in many things – faith, speech, knowledge, love – you must also excel in giving; (3) Jesus Christ became poor so that in his poverty we may become rich; (4) People with good intentions make promises not fulfilled, but people with good character fulfill the promises they intentioned; and (5) Life has a way of evenning (leveling) things out.
At 1:45 PM, the Convocation resumed with the Rev. Mary Grace Masegman (RizPam) and the Rev. Fr. Arnold Damayan (MaQueBaCa) serving as facilitators. The diocesan status reporting focused on the problems and challenges faced by each diocese, the coping mechanisms, and the projected plans of actions for this “new” normal and post “normal” situations. Assigned speakers articulated on their situations on behalf of their dioceses, arranged in the following order of reporting: Rizal-Pampanga, Romblon-Oriental Mindoro, Cavite, Laguna, MaQueBaCa, Greater Manila Area, Masbate, Palawan, and Bataan-Bulacan. The individual reports showed diocesan commonalities in approaches to pandemic/lockdown responses – virtual worship services, Bible studies, meetings; “simbahay” or simultaneous worship at home by families; financial stress resolved through innovative means; later church Masses held (10% -> 30%) with health protocols – and the militarization threats faced by church people.
During the Plenary, Bishop-Chair Rowel Arevalo presented the agenda which was approved. The Resolution Committee, composed of Bishop Ronnel Fabriquier, and the Reverends Sherryl Javier-Bianson, Jonash Joyohoy, and Rodrin Tadepa, presented the two resolutions which were later approved after discussion: (1) For the Executive Commission to implore to the Philippine Government to re-align the war-chest budget to provide support to the victims of the natural disasters, Typhoons Quinta and Rolly; and (2) For the Executive Commission and Obispado Maximo to file the Writ of Amparo for and in-behalf of the IFI clergy maligned by militarization threats.
For its part, the Statement Committee, composed of Bishop Joselito Cruz, and the Reverends Gina Perez-Grande and Erino Ismael, gave its power-point presentation report simultaneously read by the Rev. Grande. Without further reaction, the Statement was approved by the body with the condition of finalizing the written document with proper editing and format styling.
Bishop Salvador Ballesteros, SCL Treasurer, gave an oral report of the SCL financial status on the funds received from the records of the late Bishop Pedro Ojascastro, former SCL Treasurer. The clergy registration receipts from the SCL Clergy Convocation in Masbate in November 2019 amounted to PhP 130,500, with collectibles of PhP50,000 from unpaid clergy. He offered the following recommendations: (1) Arrears owed by unpaid clergy to be paid to him via money couriers, e.g., Palawan Express, etc.; (2) Payment of PhP5,000 as appreciation honorarium for Bishop Marigza’s speakership; (3) Collection of PhP200 per clergy from this Convocation as relief support to Masbate; and (4) Today’s Holy Mass offertory designated for Masbate, and second offertory for MaQueBaCa.
Additional actions passed by the body included the following: (1) Committee to be formed to work with Kapit-Bisig to respond to natural disasters; (2) SCL to organize a Virtual Congress for training on digital technology; (3) Investing in digital technology (ZOOM) to improve intra-church connectivity; and (4) Active participation in community health programs by government (LGUs) and/or NGOs in the area.
The Closing Worship liturgy was prepared and led by the Rev. Fr. Nixon Jose (DGMA). Incorporated into the liturgy was the Closing Remarks of Bishop Joselito Cruz who wished that “Sana hindi na ito maulit,” referring to the Virtual type of Convocation. Nevertheless, he was thankful that the Zoom communication unified the Church and its mission in Christ – unity, brotherhood, helping-hand, unity in service as “alagad”. His final words were “Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take the risks.” Bishop Buddy Ballesteros gave the benediction. The Convocation was adjourned at 5:30 PM. (The date for the next Convocation will be decided upon by the SCL bishops.)
