MANILA, Jan. 12, 2013—At the heart of the Year of Faith is the Word of God. This is according to Manila Archbishop Antonio Luis Cardinal Tagle, who stressed the importance of the biblical apostolate in the Church’s celebration of the ‘Year of the Faith.’
“God’s Word is Central”
“The Word of God is central. How can we reach the people without the Bible?,” Cardinal Tagle said.
During the orientation of the Archdiocese of Manila on the Year of Faith, he called on lay leaders and vicariates to support the ‘May they be One’ Bible campaign, which aims to give a free Bible to 5 million Filipinos, especially during the Year of Faith.
The said campaign, spearheaded by the Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate, has distributed 800,000 Bibles so far.
In an interview, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo explained why a lot of activities for the ‘Year of Faith’ will have a focus on Scripture and studying God’s Word.
“What is faith based on? It is based on the Word of God and our faith is guided by the Word of God,” he said in the vernacular.
A more intense Biblical apostolate
According to Bp. Pabillo, efforts are ongoing to intensify the Biblical apostolate in the grassroots level.
” We are going to the parishes and giving a lot of talks,” he said, adding that other ways of raising funds for the Biblical apostolate are also being explored.
The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI announced a Year of Faith from October 12, 2012 to November 24, 2013, the Solemnity of Christ the King. [Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz/CBCPNews]
