Year of ecumenism is for dialogue, not forced ‘conversion’

Leaders of different Christian and non-Christian denominations present, including the Catholic Church in Capiz, under the leadership of Archbishop Jose F. Advincula Jr., D.D., formally pledged their commitment to establish partnerships based on dialogue.

The event officially launched the year-long celebration of the Year of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Indigenous Peoples on Jan 21, 2020 at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in Roxas City.

The highlight of the event was the Covenant signing made by leaders of different Christian denominations present from all over Capiz, which included Victory Church-Roxas, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, Roxas City Church Alliance, Baptists, Evangelical Church and several others.

The Muslim community of Roxas City was also represented by their Imam, while some of the ethnic minorities in Central Panay, the Panay-Bukidnon and the Panay-Suludnon from the hinterlands of Tapaz, Capiz, also came, offering their soulful invocations.

Capiz, historically regarded as the second Christian settlement in the Philippines, is home to many faith and cultural traditions.

Perhaps inspired by the prayer of peace attributed to St. Francis of Assisi which was sung after the covenant signing ceremony, Archbishop Advincula offered warm embraces to the representatives of each of the communities present.

Capiz Archdiocesan Chariman for the Committee on Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue Rev. Msgr. Rufino Regie A. Pamposa, in his homily during the mass presided by Archbishop Advincula, said that the mere gesture of gathering people from different belief systems, even for a brief time, would definitely please God.

“God must be smiling on us,” Msgr. Pamposa said, explaining that it is because “at least, for a short while, we are gathering to pray as one.”

Msgr. Pamposa, however, stressed that the point of dialogue of faiths or its celebration, even if it is an initiative by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), is not meant to force people of other spiritual or cultural convictions to change their beliefs.

“Ecumenism is not an effort to correct or turn back on our respective belief systems,” he said, specifically addressing the leaders of other Christian communities in Capiz present at the said event which can be aptly described as an ecumenical gathering.

Rather, Msgr. Pamposa pointed out that, instead of focusing on matters that cause divisions, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue should uphold the common causes that are shared by all men of good will.

This can be achieved through conversations that are founded in the spirit of “cooperation, unity and peace,” he said.

“We all have to admit before God that we are still divided in many ways,” Msgr. Pamposa said. “Division is not a gift from God.”

“We should celebrate what unites us,” he stressed, noting that, above anything else, it has to be the “grace of faith.”

Moreover, Msgr. Pamposa, who used to be the Rector of the Sancta Maria Mater et Regina Seminarium (SMMRS), the Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Capiz, concluded by saying that dialogue should be done with CARE – an acronym for Courage, Appreciation, Respect and Example.