Cardinal Pietro Parolin on the Pope’s journey to the Philippines

Jan 15, 2015

Pope Francis is returning to Asia, five months after the visit to Korea where, in interreligious dialogue, he indicated the Church’s primary mission on the Continent. Do you believe that he will stand firm on this point, even in these two countries that are so different?
The mission of the Church in the Philippines and Sri Lanka is that of the Church throughout the world: to proclaim the Gospel, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, who is the font of life and of hope for all mankind.

Naturally, the context she lives and works in is kept in mind. It is a context characterized by multiplicity, almost a mosaic of societies, cultures and religions. The Asian continent is the cradle of the great religions of the world. Then, bearing in mind the fact that the Church is a small minority, a little flock in the middle of so vast a reality as this.

So this mission, too, must modulate itself on the basis of these characteristics. There seems to me to be two strong points of this mission: on the one hand, the aspect of charitable and humanitarian activities in the fields of healthcare and education, which are already well appreciated by the people and governments of both countries; and on the other hand, the aspect of interreligious dialogue with an aim to promote and consolidate the culture of encounter, respect and mutual acceptance.

This includes what the Pope says in Evangelii Gaudium, that interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world today, and so it is a duty for all religions. This will be a nodal point, the Pope's centre of attention during the journey.

The Philippines is the only country of Catholic majority in Asia. How can the presence of this young and dynamic Church be enhanced on the continent?
They told me about Filipinos who have returned in these days from their country, that in these weeks there truly is deep choral prayer in preparation for the Pope’s visit. This is a very positive preface. I think that the enhancement will come about through recognition of the role that the Church in the Philippines has, in both the context of Asia and Southeast Asia, and on the world stage.

With this journey, in continuity with that to Korea, the Pope wants to focus the Church’s attention on this reality; and at the same time, to also introduce her into that nine-year journey leading to the celebration of the fifth centenary of the Gospel’s arrival in the Philippines in 1521. And this year is the year dedicated to the poor.

So, centrality is derived from the number: that is, the Philippines is one of the countries of Southeast Asia where the majority of the population is Catholic. I say one because there is also East Timor, where 90 per cent of the population is Catholic: we must not forget this too.

The Philippines has also been somewhat the geographical centre: suffice it to think of the many important meetings that have taken place there, beginning with the visit of Blessed Paul VI in 1970, which then gave rise to the constitution of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.

I think the other important point is the centrality of the Filipino people, for example, the studies of so many young people who come from various neighbouring Asian countries to enhance their formation which is provided in the country’s different Catholic universities.

And finally there is also the diffusion of Filipinos throughout the world: we know that Filipinos are present in many, many countries in Asia, but also in the Americas and in Europe.

Therefore, there are many possibilities for evangelization by Filipinos; the important thing is that the Church in The Philippines embrace this message and this impetus from Pope Francis to be a Church which goes forth: a Church which feels the duty to evangelize and proclaim the Gospel.

The theme will be mercy and compassion, and Pope Francis will demonstrate these qualities and ask for them for the victims of typhoons and earthquakes, but also for the victims of poverty, injustice and corruption ….
This is somewhat the theme of the journey: to show compassion, to show mercy toward the many people who are suffering, suffering due to natural disasters, especially in the Philippines; suffering on account of structural injustices, such as poverty and corruption; also suffering because of the consequences of the ongoing civil war.

It is a kind of mercy, of compassion which heals, in the first place. Then, this is somewhat the sense of the Pope's presence: to bring an element, a dimension of healing and of comfort to this situation.

And at the same time – just because in this sense mercy and compassion are active elements – to call everyone to give their own contribution so that these wounds may be healed, and these sorrows may be comforted, and most of all, that the causes which provoked them may be overcome.