MANILA, July 23, 2013—At least 18 Bishops from eight countries participated in FABC Pastoral Leadership Seminar for Bishops held at FABC Documentation Center, Bangkok, Thailand from July 15 to 20.
The leadership seminar is an annual project sponsored by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC). Initiated through the leadership of His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, India and Fr. Raymond O’Toole, the Secretary General, the seminar this year is designed and conducted for the first time by Bishop Gilbert Garcera, Program Coordinator of FABC Pastoral Leadership for Bishops.
Aimed at assisting the Bishops in assessing their pastoral spirituality in view of their leadership skills, attitude and framework of thinking, the seminar focused on the following topics: Leadership Spirituality; Effective Pastoral Leadership; Becoming a Change Leader; Social Media and the Skills of Listening; and Formation of Priests and Seminarians.
Bishop Garcera of Daet, a holder of Doctorate Degree in Organizational Development and Planning from Southeast Asia Development Institute (SAIDI), Philippines, led the distinguished roster of resource persons.
The list of speakers also include Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, III, Director of CBCP Media Office, Fr. Jesus Augusto B. Angeles III, Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy of the Diocese of Daet and Former Executive Secretary of the CBCP Commission on Seminaries, Mr. Prakai Cholahan, Director of ACAP Advisory Public Company, Ltd., Thailand, and Mr. Prachuab Trinikorn, Advisor of Banpu Public Company, Ltd, Thailand.
Commended in the evaluation as “meticulously planned and executed”, the bishops not only appreciated the “learning acquired”, but they were also happy with the “camaraderie among bishops with the organizers and facilitators.” In the words of one bishop, “being together as brothers is affirming”.
Five bishops from the Philippines participated in the seminar. They were Bishops Jesse Mercado of the Diocese of Parañaque, Buenaventura Famadico of the Diocese of San Pablo, Mylo Hubert Vergara of the Diocese of Pasig, Gerardo Alminaza of the Archdiocese of Jaro, and Joseph Nacua of Ilagan. (CBCPNews)
