Philippines: Cebu Archdiocese to strengthen Divine Mercy Apostolate for 5th Asian Apostolic Congress on Mercy

Less than six months before the 5th Asian Apostolic Congress on Mercy (AACOM), the Archdiocese of Cebu will designate parish priests in each district to coordinate lay promoters and guide devotees into Mercy communities to strengthen the Divine Mercy apostolate.

Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma announced the move during a meeting with some members of the 5th AACOM organizers, led by Imma Alfon, president of the Shrine of Divine Mercy de Cebu Foundation, Inc.

Also present were Fr. Lucas Inoc, spiritual director of the Divine Mercy Philippines Archdiocese of Cebu, and Monsignor Rommel Kintanar, rector of the Divine Mercy shrine in Garing, Consolacion town, Cebu.  

The IC3 Pavilion in Cebu City will host the 5th AACOM with the theme "Divine Mercy: Pilgrimage of Hope in Asia" from October 14–19, 2024.

The organizers expect 5,000 delegates from all over Asia, including those from the United States and Europe.

During the meeting, the Cebu prelate recognized groups actively promoting Divine Mercy devotion in the archdiocese, in particular the Divine Mercy Ecclesial Community, Divine Mercy Crusade, and Friends of Divine Mercy.

Because of its popularity, the Divine Mercy devotion has spawned a number of private prayer groups, some of which have indiscriminately used the Divine Mercy image and strayed away from the devotion's core message, which is God's mercy and infinite love for humanity.

Mrs. Imma Alfon, foundation president, gave updates about preparations for the forthcoming Divine Mercy Congress. Among the foreign delegates who have indicated their interest in attending the 5-day Congress are the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception MIC, based in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The congregation takes care of Stockbridge's National Shrine of Divine Mercy.

Among foreign delegates who have signified their interest to attend the 5-day Congress are Fr. Chris Alar and Fr. Kazimierz “Kaz” Chwalek both belonging to Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception based in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The congregation takes care of the National Shrine of Divine Mercy also located in Stockbridge.

Fr. Joel de los Reyes, a Filipino priest currently assigned in the Diocese of Agana, Guam and who is currently the spiritual director of the Divine Mercy apostolate in the US territory is also attending.

The apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, has also confirmed his attendance.

According to Mrs. Alfon, Archbishop Guintaras Grusas of Vilnius, Lithuania, is also keen to attend AACOM, as the Archdiocese of Vilnius will host the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM) in June 7–12, 2026. 

Every three years, the Catholic Church launches an initiative under the direction of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, or WACOM. Between WACOM events, congresses take place at the diocesan, national, and regional levels.

Pre-registration for the 5th AACOM is ongoing.  The organizers encourage interested parties to visit https://www.facebook.com/5thAACOM for more information.