Tomorrow, 8 June, at 10 am, all the priests, bishops and cardinals present in the country will celebrate a Mass of national consecration. For a Jesuit theologian, "Human freedom means choosing whether or not to accept God's help for he is always there for us."

Manila (AsiaNews/CBCP) - To consecrate the Philippines to the love of God in response to social threats such as child abuse, abortion or drug addiction "is not a form of 'magic', but a sound move to allow the Lord 'invade' our country and our conscience," said Fr Catalino Arevalo SJ, one of Asia's most important mariologists, after the Bishops' Conference decided to consecrate the Philippines to God. In fact, tomorrow at 10 am, all the priests, bishops and cardinals will take part in a ceremony to that effect.

Obviously, "consecration is a way to respond to these threats," the theologian said. "It is not the only one, but it is an important part of the effort to save ourselves. Card Ricardo Vidal, who pushed for this joint celebration, had the so-called 'death laws' mind in mind when he presented the most pressing intentions of consecration. In our country there are many evils, and they must be addressed."

Indeed, the grace of consecration, "is connected to collective and individual decisions. This is the meaning of human freedom: it is up to us to decide whether we want to let ourselves be invaded by the power of God. This power is all around us, but it is up to us to grasp it: this is the only way to develop it in society."

 

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• consecration
• bishops’
• conference