ARCHBISHOP Charles John Brown, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, urged Catholics to continue to stand for justice amid the exploitation of migrant workers.
“Migration is under attack in many parts of the world where innocent human life is under threat. There needs to be justice in migration where people need to migrate justly, freely and safely,” Brown said in the virtual forum dubbed “E-PAXUsapan,” organized by the Faculty of Arts and Letters unit of UST Pax Romana on March 5.
“Justice in migration and just treatment in OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) are extremely important. We need to support the struggle for justice for migrants,” he added.
Brown, who has been in the country for almost four months, praised Filipinos for upholding the value of life and family.
“The Philippines … has beautiful respect for human life in all life stages—starting at conception from the mother’s womb to natural death and respect for family … [We should continue to] work for the defense of life and family,” he said.
He also warned against the “scourge of corruption” in the country’s health industry, law enforcement and politics, which are hurting the vulnerable and destroying society.
Adhering to the Philippine Church’s theme Missio ad gentes (Mission to the Nations) for the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity, the papal envoy called on the faithful to fulfill their missionary endeavors in accord with Christ’s mission.
“If you are a mother of children, you are missionaries to those children. If you are a student at a University, you can be a missionary to those next to you. You can be missionaries by sharing your faith and living your faith,” he said.
Echoing the words of St. Paul, Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales stressed that it is everyone’s mission to share blessings and the “good news” of salvation.
“What I receive from the Lord, I give it back—ganiyan ang mission. Walang titigil sa akin. Good news has to be shared with others [and] not kept,” he said.
“What does good news contain? There is God, good news iyan. This God of mine is a good, very good God. The best.”
E-PAXUsapan, a three-day webinar series, was organized by the Artlets unit of UST Pax Romana as part of the celebrations for 500 years of Christianity in the country.
The year-long celebration of the quincentennial anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines will formally commence on Easter Sunday, April 4.
