MANILA, July 8, 2011—The Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) just turned 25 years old today.
But unlike the usual “birthday†celebration, ECY’s is not highlighted by a party today since its founding anniversary is a year-long celebration observed this year, 2011, which was designated as CBCP Year of the Youth.
ECY chairman and Legazpi (Albay) Bishop Joel Baylon said they are thankful for the Divine grace that made it possible for the Commissiom to provide abundant opportunities for young Filipino Catholics to cultivate their faith.
When asked of what achievement that the ECY has accomplished, Baylon said he can thought of many but said that the most important one would be ECY’s success in providing structure in the youth apostolate in the country.
“ECY has provided the Church in the Philippines with a structure to make the youth more active in the church. It has come up more recently with the Ka-Lakbay, the official directory for the youth ministry in the country,†he said.
Baylon said the last 25 years of the ECY passed by with successes and hardships, but the Commission is still looks forward to serving the young Filipino Catholics for the years ahead.
“ECY will continue to be at the service of our local Church by providing modules, programs and activities that we hope will make our young people get to know our Lord in a personal way, grow towards maturity and give themselves more generously to the Church, society and the world,†he added.
The celebration of the ECY’s 25th founding anniversary will culminate towards the year with the national celebration of the National Youth Day and recognition of outstanding persons in the youth ministry in November and the launch of the ECY’s book on “Youth Ministry Success Stories in the light of the Ka-Lakbay.†(YouthPinoy)
