The Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) is holding a biblical workshop in Cagayan de Oro City from February 11-15 with the theme “The Word of God – Source of Justice, Reconciliation and Peace.”
The biblical workshop, now on its 17th year boasts a powerhouse of biblical scholars as resource speakers led by Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary bishop of Manila.
Bishop Pabillo, an Old Testament biblical scholar will deliver the keynote speech expounding on the theme of the 5-day workshop.
Biblical speakers who will speak on the seminar-workshops are Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ, on “The Transformative Power of God’s Word in the struggle against Corruption”; Sr. Bernardita Dianzon, FSP, on “St. Paul and the Groaning of Creation”; and Bishop Virgilio Pablo David, on “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.”
Elvira Go, National Catholic Family Bible Quiz chairman will share on the topic “Promoting Justice, Reconciliation and Peace in the Filipino Family” while former Ambassador Henrietta de Villa will discuss the challenges that confront PPCRV with her talk: “Challenge 2010…Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.”
Participants to the workshop are ECBA bishops-members, diocesan directors of the Biblical Apostolate, regional directors and their staff, and lay coordinators. The delegates are coming from 86 dioceses throughout the country.
Most Rev. Antonio Ledesma, SJ, archbishop of Cagayan de Oro will celebrate the opening mass while Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD will preside the inculturated Eucharistic celebration at the end of the workshop.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Present generation of migrants are young people
MANY young people are now migrating to join their parents working and living abroad.
According to Fr. Edwin Corros, CS, executive secretary of Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI), the exodus of young generation of migrants is a current trend in migration.
European countries which host a vast number of overseas Filipino workers have a migration policy of family unification that allows children of migrant workers to come and live with their parents.
A policy which the Catholic Church encourages in a bid to keep families united.
However, a host of family problems have also arisen out of the situation.
Corros said parents tend to be over protective of their children, an action young people resent.
“The parent(s) maybe absent in their children’s lives ten or fifteen years, and all of a sudden [they] impose restrictions. It is actually a culture shock for the children and vice-versa,” Corros said.
Aside from the shock of having parents around to check on their activities, the children also had to struggle to adjust to a different culture and learn a different language.
“They are exposed to a culture that is not welcoming to them because of the language barrier. [In] school they also suffer discrimination because their classmates look down on them because they can’t speak the language,” said Corros.
According to Corros the said phenomenon is a challenge to the Church to respond to the needs of these young migrants.
“The challenge to the Church is to look after the young arrivals. That’s why the message of the Holy Father is to accompany them,” he said.
In his message on the 2008 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, the Holy Father pointed out the reality of a clash in culture between parents steeped in traditional ways and children who have imbibed the lifestyle of the host country.
“It is necessary to aim first of all at support for the family and schools. In families, the traditional roles that existed in the countries of origin have broken down, and a clash is often seen between parents still tied to their culture and children quickly acculturated in the new social contexts,” said the Holy Father.
Corros also mentioned the tendency of some parents to send their children back home when the children have already become acculturated to a new lifestyle.
“There is also a trend that migrants are sending their children back to the Philippines, because they do not want [them] to absorb the negative values of the host country,” he said.
Asked what the Commission is doing in response to this concern, Corros said some dioceses have implemented a program designed to help children of migrants. Called Sons and Daughters of OFWs the program is centered on value formation and guidance counseling. It has been adapted by some Catholic schools in the dioceses where migrants’ ministry is most active.
The National Migrants Sunday celebration on February 10 aims to create public awareness on this phenomenon by adopting the theme “Show Concern to the young generation of migrants,” looking in particular into the situation of young migrants in their host country.
ECMI said there is no exact information on the number of young migrants joining their parents abroad but statistics state that the migrating population is young, 20-39 years old.
Migration facts and figures estimate 8.09 million Filipinos are currently living and working overseas.
According to Fr. Edwin Corros, CS, executive secretary of Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI), the exodus of young generation of migrants is a current trend in migration.
European countries which host a vast number of overseas Filipino workers have a migration policy of family unification that allows children of migrant workers to come and live with their parents.
A policy which the Catholic Church encourages in a bid to keep families united.
However, a host of family problems have also arisen out of the situation.
Corros said parents tend to be over protective of their children, an action young people resent.
“The parent(s) maybe absent in their children’s lives ten or fifteen years, and all of a sudden [they] impose restrictions. It is actually a culture shock for the children and vice-versa,” Corros said.
Aside from the shock of having parents around to check on their activities, the children also had to struggle to adjust to a different culture and learn a different language.
“They are exposed to a culture that is not welcoming to them because of the language barrier. [In] school they also suffer discrimination because their classmates look down on them because they can’t speak the language,” said Corros.
According to Corros the said phenomenon is a challenge to the Church to respond to the needs of these young migrants.
“The challenge to the Church is to look after the young arrivals. That’s why the message of the Holy Father is to accompany them,” he said.
In his message on the 2008 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, the Holy Father pointed out the reality of a clash in culture between parents steeped in traditional ways and children who have imbibed the lifestyle of the host country.
“It is necessary to aim first of all at support for the family and schools. In families, the traditional roles that existed in the countries of origin have broken down, and a clash is often seen between parents still tied to their culture and children quickly acculturated in the new social contexts,” said the Holy Father.
Corros also mentioned the tendency of some parents to send their children back home when the children have already become acculturated to a new lifestyle.
“There is also a trend that migrants are sending their children back to the Philippines, because they do not want [them] to absorb the negative values of the host country,” he said.
Asked what the Commission is doing in response to this concern, Corros said some dioceses have implemented a program designed to help children of migrants. Called Sons and Daughters of OFWs the program is centered on value formation and guidance counseling. It has been adapted by some Catholic schools in the dioceses where migrants’ ministry is most active.
The National Migrants Sunday celebration on February 10 aims to create public awareness on this phenomenon by adopting the theme “Show Concern to the young generation of migrants,” looking in particular into the situation of young migrants in their host country.
ECMI said there is no exact information on the number of young migrants joining their parents abroad but statistics state that the migrating population is young, 20-39 years old.
Migration facts and figures estimate 8.09 million Filipinos are currently living and working overseas.
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