Church must never forget its ‘sense of stewardship’ - Filipino bishop

A Filipino bishop reminded the faithful to never lose their “sense of stewardship” amid today’s highly digital and industrialized world.

In an interview with Radio Veritas Asia, Bishop Broderick Pabillo shared how they empower people to become stewards of creation in the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, Palawan in the eastern Philippines.

Leading one of the most rural and remote Catholic jurisdictions in the country, the 69-year-old bishop explained how he leads the vicariate’s stewardship efforts despite their challenges with poverty.

“We have to inculcate in them the sense of stewardship that we have to share in our own mission together,” said the prelate. “That's why they have to give time for prayer [while giving] their own contribution by means of their own talents [and] efforts.”

Overseeing the northern part of Palawan, Bishop Pabillo said that reaching out to everyone is a huge struggle but never impossible.

The Vicariate of Taytay is composed of around half a million Catholics living in far-flung communities with hours of travel time in between.

“The distances are great… [it is] difficult and expensive, especially if they have to cross the seas,” he shared.

Nevertheless, he lauded the people’s bayanihan, or the selfless duty of helping one another.

“We have to inculcate the sense of sharing the materials good they have. Yes, the people are poor, but if everybody contributes something, we can fill up the need… and feel that we are loved,” said Bishop Pabillo.

In return for their goodwill and active participation, the bishop said that the vicariate has been teaching about organic farming to help them make a living while raising awareness about stewardship.

“We’re trying to organize and train people on [a healthier] way of living and cultivating their own lands,” he said.

He underscored the importance of adapting an organic lifestyle to combat the threat of illegal logging, mining, and industrialization in Palawan.

Alongside this, Bishop Pabillo said that their efforts in catechizing the faithful remain in full swing while they address the social issues within their communities.

He explained how they have partnered with the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco in training their catechesis and allotted resources in boosting projects related to Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC).

For Bishop Pabillo, who has been tasked to shepherd a flock living so far away from urbanization, ecology has been the closest social topic to his heart.

“If we destroy [the environment] now because of mining and logging, what could our future be?” he reflected.

He turned to his episcopal motto, “Fides in caritate” (Faith in love) from Galatians 5:6 as the passage that continuously inspires him to offer everything in his ministry.

“Love is not to be separated from our commitment to love one another. [Being] in love means to help other people,” he said.