Statement by Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales
Archbishop of Manila and Chair of Episcopal Commission on Clergy Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines

For Press Briefing on July 9, 2004
At 1 p.m. at Skyline restaurant.

Glory to God! Thanks be to God! My heart wants to cry out these words. These past five days have indeed been moments of grace for us, the clergy of the Philippines. Coming into the congress we had no concrete idea how it would finally unfold. But in the days that the congress, indeed, unfolded what transpired went beyond our simple imagination.

Please allow me to share with you the characteristics of the National Congress of the Clergy which will end in a few hours.

There was unprecedented attendance. Officially we had 3,869 bishops, priests and deacons who were registered. About 259 belonged to religious from 34 congregations. From the lectern of the altar of the stage the hall was an overwhelming sight of seemingly endless rows of priests.

There was order. We had prepared for the worst, drawing up chaotic scenarios in transportation, housing, registration, feeding, scheduling, programs. Brat our fears were unfounded and thanks to the detailed and diligent preparations of the various committees involved in these concerns there were only very minor hitches and glitches. Priests were ferried from various points in Metro Manila were most of them stayed with host families. And aside from delays because of overextended talks, the schedule was followed.

There was prayer. Each of the days of the Congress began with a morning praise, with all the priests and bishops offering the activities of each day to the Lord and to the workings of the Holy Spirit. The Eucharistic celebrations were celebrated with devotion and with enlightening preaching from the main presiders. Prayer was like precious air that we breathed to sustain us through these five days.

The talks and sharing were like prayer, too. The retreat talks were truly golden nuggets of spiritual reflection that made us meditate, contemplate, and look at our ministry and life.

Equally precious, valuable and uplifting were the informal talks, the easy banter with classmates, batchmates, and friends. A bishop remarked that the congress fostered both communion and reunion, and in many ways one blended into the other.

There will be an attempt by other people, especially the media, to assess the congress in terms of final statements, resolutions, or actions especially regarding what many like to refer to as controversies. But these attempts will be futile if the deeper and more intangible effects are not understood.

It would seem that the five days were too much for simply talking and listening. But time passed by so quickly, and we have arrived at the end. We came in with expectations, and all our expectations have been exceeded. We now have more than when we came in; not only in terms of tapes and cds of talks, books, and other paraphernalia, but also in terms of what our hearts can contain. This congress of the clergy has filled us, to the brim and overflowing. We hope we have been strengthened, refreshed, and, yes, renewed.

We thank everyone, especially the laypeople, seminarians and church workers who provided the logistical and organizational backbone to make this congress run smoothly. The congress proceeded efficiently because of the tremendous work they have done and are doing. We cannot thank them enough.

We also thank all the parishioners, and sisters and brothers who prayed for the success of the congress. Indeed, they were with us in spirit.

And we thank you, members of the media, for your interest and support. We hope that you will continue to help in disseminating the Good News that this Congress has proclaimed.

The National Congress of the Clergy will release a Congress Statement at our closing later this afternoon. The closing rites will be highlighted by our Renewal of Commitment to the Filipino People, which will be led by His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

At this final point may I also express, in behalf of the bishops and the priests assembled in the Congress, especially, our ardent hope and prayers for the release of Mr. Angelo de la Cruz, who has been taken hostage by terrorists in Iraq . We earnestly pray that his life be spared and that there be peace in that land.

Thank you all!