The Church is “mater et magistra”

(An excerpt of the Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D. in his Homily during the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 21, 2025 at San Pedro Cathedral Parish, Davao City.)

Today, all the bishops all over the country are enjoined to give the homily with similar tone. The “Call to Action: Day of Prayer and Accountability Against Corruption” today from the letter of the bishops. In Metro Manila is the call to go to EDSA People Power Monument at 2:00 P.M. But the letter is to all of us, what we can do, prayer and action. Maybe in Davao a day of prayer because the readings today, we do not have to do anything.

…After our CBCP meeting in July, we talked about corruption, but mixed with other issues. And then, if you recall on September 8, we issued a letter read. And today, the same call. On my part sharply on September 8, in my Mass here, it was the ordination of Rev. Dan Baliano, I mentioned in passing and the letter was read here before the Mass.

But today we talk about it. On September 15, dili kaayo public but fiesta sa Babak, Sorrows of Mary. All my homily was about it. Seven sorrows of Mary, September 16 my homily was about stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi, the reminder of the wounds of Christ. The wounds of Christ today is unimaginable, level of corruption.

…All the works of the Church, the minute of it is all about morality. What do I mean? Ang mission sa Simbahan is to form us, to be moral. Simply put, day in and day out, the work of the Church, evangelization, talk about salvation, if we summarize that, kay mystery man gud…the work of the Church is to help us act, to behave as citizens of heaven, to behave like sons and daughters of God. To behave, act, relate according to God’s design. Our morality, our guide for action is based on what our Creator has told us and continues to tell us.

… The Church is called Mater et Magistra. Mother and teacher. So therefore unta everyday mo ana ang Simbahan what is right and wrong. But dili kanunay magyawyaw ang Simbahan…. Every action that we do must be moral, must be good.