The head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has challenged the executive secretaries of Episcopal Commissions to develop a “comprehensive theology of stewardship” as decreed by PCP II.
In his homily during the opening mass of a one-day seminar for Episcopal Commission secretaries, CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the group might just have to sit together again to articulate a theology of stewardship for the CBCP.
“It is hoped that through your group one of the decrees of PCP II will come to life, which says ‘The Church through the initiative of CBCP should develop a comprehensive theology of stewardship…’(Art. 31, sec 1). It has never been done. Will it be done this year? Through you? That is the challenge I am putting on you,” Lagdameo said.
Lagdameo was the convenor of the seminar-workshop on Spirituality of Stewardship (Buhay-Katiwala) held February 13 at the Our Lady of the Reparatrix Center, Tagaytay City.
Lagdameo told participants that the spirituality of stewardship is a common way each one can adopt in accomplishing respective responsibilities, “in the spirit of unity in diversity.”
“Each one of us, each one of you, may consider himself/herself as a steward, steward not only of the bishop-head of the commission, but more importantly of God himself in the work of your commission,” he said.
As stewards, he said, one is not the absolute owner or master of himself and possessions, nor the world of nature and of grace.
He stressed that everything has been received as gift and talent from God.
“We must use them as grateful, accountable and responsible persons, in accordance with the intention or plan of the Divine Owner, to promote the common good and to establish the reign of God in the hearts of men,” said Lagdameo.
Citing the various Commissions’ diverse ministries he encouraged each one to bring the spirituality of stewardship to a wider spectrum according to the Commission’s sphere of activity and influence.
“The Spirituality of Stewardship would then be an overarching value that will provide other related values such as cooperation, co-responsibility, partnership, collaboration, interdependence, solidarity, servanthood and subsidiarity,” said Lagdameo.
He said the spirituality of stewardship would bring a shared approach to the various concerns of the Church.
“Through you, individually and collectively, the Philippine Church will be in a state of stewardship,” said Lagdameo. “This you will do together with the priests, religious and other lay people and of course, with the bishops, who are the primary stewards in their respective local churches,” he added.
Expressions of stewardship include the spending and use of God gifts such as time, talents and treasures for God and neighbor.
The February 13 conference came at the heels of a 4-day journey on the Spirituality of Stewardship attended by over 100 participants from 18 dioceses and 4 Episcopal Commissions.
The two seminar-workshops were facilitated by a team from Socio-Pastoral Institute, in partnership with St. Thomas More Parish in Denver, Colorado.
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