Manila (AsiaNews) – The Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) and the Philippines Bible Society (PBS), in cooperation with various dioceses, have embarked upon a five-year campaign to promote the Bible titled “May They Be One”, words taken from the Gospel of John (17: 21) in which Christ turning to the Father said “so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you,” in which he announced the unity of the faithful in the universal Church.
The campaign will begin on 30 September, feast day of St Jerome, in Manila Cathedral. An ecumenical prayer will precede the Eucharistic celebration presided by Mgr Joseph Adams, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines as well as many bishops from the country’s various dioceses.
“May They Be One” is inspired by the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that will take place next October on the theme “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church”.
This focus will let Filipino bishops highlight their close relationship to the Pope and the Church, reiterating the missionary role each faithful is called to play.
The five-year nationwide Bible study campaign (2009-2013) sponsored by the Bishops’ Conference aims to put the Holy Book in every home and encourage Filipinos to read it and put into practice its teachings in everyday life.
This is a response to the call of Christ for all His children to “be one,’ (John 17:21) since unity is vital for making the Word accessible, understandable, respected and lived, said Mgr Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, archbishop of Manila.