Philippines

"The journey of life and faith demands a deep desire and inner zeal. We need it as Church". "It is also one of the tasks of the Synod: to walk together in listening, so that the Spirit may suggest new ways, ways to bring the Gospel to the hearts of those who are indifferent, distant, of those who have lost hope but seek what the Magi found, 'a most great joy' (Mt 2:10)".

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Make room for the God who "does not remain in His blissful eternity and in His infinite light, but makes himself close, becomes flesh, descends into the darkness, inhabits lands alien to him". "Let each one of us be concrete and respond to this. 'Yes, yes, I would like Jesus to come but like this, that I do not have to touch him; this, no, and this yes...'. Everyone has his own sin - let us call it by name. And He is not afraid of our sins: He came to heal us. At least let us let Him see it, let Him see the sin".

In this pandemic, "After the initial reaction phase in which we felt in solidarity in the same boat, the “every man for himself” temptation spread. But thank God we reacted again with a sense of responsibility". "Thanks be to God, because the choice of responsibility in solidarity does not come from the world: it comes from God; indeed, it comes from Jesus Christ, who has once and for all impressed on our history the 'course' of His original vocation: to be all sisters and brothers, children of the one Father".

Francis centred his Urbi et orbi message on the lack of dialogue, not only between States, but also between people, as evinced by violence against women and the tendency “to look the other way” at the sufferings of those forced to leave their homeland. Choosing the Word and the “grace of littleness” means “to believe that God desires to come into the little things of our life; he wants to inhabit our daily lives, the things we do each day at home, in our families, at school and in the workplace.”

CBCP president Bishop David urges the faithful to give up “lavish Christmas parties” and help instead the communities Visayas and northern Mindanao affected by Typhoon Rai. The death toll has reached 375, including a priest. In Cebu, Verbite missionaries opened their doors to 44 poor families. Rescue teams reached the city of Malabuyoc after only a week.

“Participation, mission and communion are the characteristics of a humble Church, one attentive to the voice of the Spirit and not self-centred,” said the Pope. “This is the lesson of Christmas: humility is the great condition for faith, for the spiritual life and for holiness.”

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The islands of Siargao, Dinagat and Mindanao are the most affected. Urged by the local Caritas, the Catholic Church declared 25 and 26 December national days of prayer. “[N]o one escaped Odette (Rai),” said Fra Marcelino Arcilla Rapayla of the Order of Discalced Augustinians.

"If we proceed with the tired step of grumbling and gossiping, we will not bring God to anyone. Instead, it is so good to cultivate a healthy humour, as did, for example, St Thomas More or St Philip Neri. Let us ask for this grace, for healthy humour". Prayers for the people of the Philippines affected by typhoon Rai.

According to a report by the country’s statistical agency 18 per cent of families were poor in the first half of 2021. Repeated tight lockdowns are the main factor. “[O]ur parish receives requests for help from families every day,” said Fr Caelli, parish priest in Parañaque.

The outgoing Philippine president paves the way for the son of the country's former dictator. Weak state institutions and a deteriorating economy favour “strong men” in power, experts say. In the Philippines, the era of authoritarianism is described as a "golden age".