Shrine Rectors of Asia meet in Manila

Rectors of different shrines in Central and Southeast Asia will meet in the Philippines during the First Asian Conference of Shrine Rectors on Oct. 20-24 at the Bahay Pari of the San Carlos Seminary Complex in Edsa, Makati City.

Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Vatican’s Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples will lead the conference’s guests and delegates from more than 18 countries.

The theme for the gathering is “Shrine a Place of Welcome and Encounter.” Among the topics to be tackled are Ecclesia in Asia, and the Catholic Shrines and their contribution to the evangelization in Asia. The panel of speakers include, Bishop Jorquera, Fr. Leonardo Mercado, SVD., Fr. Francis Clark, SJ, and Fr. Javier Gonzales, OP.

The conference will also include other activities such as the Book Launching of the Directory of Shrines in the Philippines, a civic welcome to the city of Manila by its Mayor Lito Atienza, a city-tour of Manila, a cultural program and dinner for the delegates, and a pilgrimage to the different shrines in the Greater Manila Area to be conducted by Catholic Travel, Inc.

The Manila organizing committee for the conference is headed by Bishop Ramon Arguelles, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, and Msgr. Roberto Espenilla, president of the Association of Shrine Rectors of the Philippines.