Papal Nuncio supports Alay Kapwa; celebrates AK national launching in Antique.

“Alay Kapwa is not only about giving money. Prayer and fasting are about self-sacrifice; denying ourselves for others and offering ourselves, as well as what we have for our neighbors.” So goes the message of the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, in his homily during the Alay Kapwa launching last 8 February in Antique.

The Nuncio, who was recently appointed in the Philippines last November 2007, expressed appreciation for the program because of the emphasis being put on sharing and sacrifice as acts of love for the poor.

“We are what we love. If we love God, we become God-like. God wants to free our hearts from all that will keep us captive to selfishness,” adds the Nuncio.

He also singled out prayer, fasting and alms-giving as the “three essential works of a holy life.” But he likewise emphasized that true piety is something more than feeling good or looking holy. “True piety is loving God. And being close to God to the point that it changes the way we live, it changes our attitude to our earth, and especially to our fellow creatures.”

With theme “ Pagkalinga at Pangangalaga sa Kapaligiran, Tungkulin ng Sambayanang Kristyano ,” the 34 th Alay Kapwa launching hopes to call attention to the escalating environmental problems.

The modules on AK, which extensively discuss the theme, are presented as guide for pastoral discernment with regard to the global and local phenomenon that characterize our time.

Successful AK Launching in Antique. 

This year's launching was received with great participation as twenty-four parishes of the Diocese of Antique, including eleven diocesan schools, and one chaplaincy supported the event.

Headed by the venerable Bishop Romulo Dela Cruz, the lay faithful welcomed bishops from dioceses in Visayas, Southern Tagalog and Mindano.

In his welcome address during the Holy Mass, Bishop Dela Cruz remarked that “the event is an honor for our diocese, especially because it is not very often that we have the Papal Nuncio as a visitor in our place.”

Fir his part, the Nuncio said he was very happy about coming to Antique. “I want to thank you for the welcome that you gave me, not to me as a person but to the man I represent, our Holy Father, Benedict XVI. I think he will be very happy and satisfied that my first appearance in this diocese is for a noble cause.”

The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Social Action – Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP), Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, immediate past chairman of ECSA-JP, Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog, Romblon Bishop Corazon Tala-oc, and Bishop Prelate of Isabela de Basilan, Martin Jumoad.

Social Action directors and clergies from Manila and neighboring dioceses also flocked to Antique to express solidarity with the Alay Kapwa Program.

Antique Vice-governor Rodora Cadiao and San Jose Mayor Rony Molina also attended the celebration.

Carlito Santos, National Coordinator for NASSA's AK Program considers the launching a momentous event for Antique owing to the Papal Nuncio's presence, and the outstanding attendance of the basic ecclesial communities (BECs).

“We have had huge attendance in our past launchings, but it is very heartwarming to learn that this year's audience is composed mainly of BEC members who came from as far as Semirara and other island parishes,” explains Santos .

“We hope that this year's AK theme will be internalized by these BECs. Environmental protection is best carried out when community members commit to the cause and help one another to fulfill their duty as stewards of creation” Santos adds.