The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) opened its first-ever retreat in Bohol province on Monday, marking a historic step in the Church’s ongoing journey of synodality. At the welcome Mass at Dauis Church, Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy greeted more than a hundred bishops and...
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc as head of the Diocese of Kalibo, the diocese announced Monday— his 75th birthday. Under canon law, bishops are required to submit their resignation to the pope upon reaching age 75, though it is...
The country’s largest association of Catholic educational institutions has called for the retention of ethics courses in college curricula, saying they are essential to students’ moral and social formation. The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) said removing ethics from higher education would deprive students...
Pope Leo XIV will hold his first meeting with all priests assigned in Rome on June 12, including several Filipino clergy. The Diocese of Rome said the private audience will take place at 10 a.m. in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, which seats up to 6,300...
The Vatican has approved the elevation of a diocesan shrine in Marikina City to the status of a minor basilica—the first in the Philippines to receive the honor under the papacy of Pope Leo XIV. The elevation, granted at the request of Bishop Ruperto Cruz Santos...
ROME— The newly elected Pope Leo XIV will follow in the footsteps of the late Pope Francis but will not be a “photocopy” or a “clone.” Giving his own preview of the direction of the new papacy, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David noted that the pontiff’s first...
VATICAN— The conclave that will elect the next pope is steeped in rules developed over the course of centuries. Given the biggest number of cardinal-electors in history, 133, who gets to cast the first ballot? The answer: “By order of precedence,” as mandated by “Universi Dominici...
A Vatican diplomat on Monday emphasized the Church’s belief that the election of the next pope is ultimately guided by divine will. Speaking ahead of the papal conclave set to begin May 7, Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, expressed confidence that the Holy...
Bells tolled as news broke of the death of Pope Francis, whose apostolic voyage a decade ago to console typhoon victims and stirring tribute to Filipinos as “smugglers of faith” and bearers of “joy to the whole world” made a lasting impression on the Philippine...
Pope Francis has passed away. The whole world mourns his passing. Acclamations and expressions of grief continue to pour in from dignitaries of differennt religious faiths and persuasion, sovereigns and national leaders. He responds in silence. He now prays for us in heaven. Mine is a...