RS - PCP II

THE SECOND PLENARY COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES

THE PREPARATION

The idea of holding a Plenary Council of the Philippines had been informally discussed on several occasions by members of the hierarchy.

A formal proposal this effect was presented to the bishops in the 56th Plenary Assembly of the CBCP in January 1988.

The reasons for holding a Council:

1. The many changes that have taken place in the Church as a result of the II Vatican Council together with the promulgation of the new Code of Canon Law.

2. The changes that occur in the Church in the Philippines and in Philippine society after the celebration of the first Plenary Council in 1953 with new problematic and new pastoral issues.

Once the proposal to hold the II Plenary Council of the Philippines had been approved by the CBCP the next step was to ask for the formal approval of Rome.

This request was made in a letter of the CBCP President Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, OP, D.D. of August 1, 1988 addressed to Bernardin Cardinal Gantin, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

The letter of approval signed by Cardinal Gantin was dated Nov. 10, 1988 and transmitted to the CBCP by the Apostolic Nunciature on Nov. 16, 1988.

: The Solemn Liturgical Opening of the II Plenary

Council of the Philippines took place at the Manila Cathedral, Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, January 20, 1991 at 9:00 in the morning.

The principal celebrant was the Council President, Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, D.D., Archbishop of Nueva Caceres, concelebrants were Archbishop Gian Vincenzo Moreni, D.D., the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines,

85 Archbishops and Bishops and over 250 priests, also present in their respective places of honor were Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, D.D. and Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, D.D.

The Council closed on February 17, 1991,

Sunday. It was held at the Manila Cathedral presided by Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, OP, D.D. concelebrants were the 85 Archbishops and Bishops and over 250 priests.The Participants:94 Archbishops/Bishops180 Vicars General/Episcopal Vicars21 Religious Superiors12 Rectors/Presidents of Catholic Universities24 Rectors/Deans of Ecclesiastical Faculties and Major Seminaries156 Laity

THE CONCILIAR DOCUMENTS:

Part I. Our World- The Philippines Lights and Shadows

A. Our EvangelizationB. Our socio-cultural ContextC. Our Economic and Political ContextD. Our Religious Context

Part II. Envisioning A Church RenewedA. The Way of JesusB. The Call of Jesus TodayC. Discipleship in Community- The Church

1. The Church is a Communiona. Unity in Diversityb. Equality in Dignity

2. Participation3. A Community-in-Mission

a. Our Missionary Vocationb. Inter-religious Dialogue

4. A Priestly, Prophetic and Kingly People5. The Church of the Poor6. Basic Ecclesial Communities: An Expression

of renewal7. The Church’s Paschal PilgrimageD. Mary, Model of Discipleship

Part III. A Renewed Integral EvangelizationA. Announcing a Message of Salvation

A. A Renewed Catechesis

2. A Renewed Social apostolate3. A Renewed Worship4. The Inter-relatedness of these various renewals5. Characteristics of the Renewed Evangelization6. Inculturation7. The Holy Spirit8. Special Concerns

B. Announcing a Message of LiberationC. Special Concerns

1. Tribal Filipinos2. Children and Youth3. Women4. Peasants

5. The Urban Poor6. Fisherfolk7. The Disabled

Part IV. The community of Disciples: Workers of RenewalA. The Lay faithfulB. The ReligiousC. The ClergyD. Other Communities of Renewal

Conclusion: Journeying In and With the Spirit

THE DECREES OF THE II PLENARY COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES

IntroductionTitle I. General Pastoral Orientation/PrinciplesTitle II. WorshipTitle III. FormationTitle IV. Special Religious ConcernsTitle V. Social Action Apostolate

Section 1. Pastoral OrientationSection 2. Programs and OrganizationsSection 3. Structures

Title VI. Special Social ConcernsSection 1. PoliticsSection 2. Responsible Christian ParenthoodSection 3. IndustrializationSection 4. EcologySection 5. Rural PoorSection 6. The Sick and handicapped

Title VII. Inter-religious ConcernsTitle VIII. SpiritualityTitle IX. A Community of Disciples

Section 1. Pastoral Orientation

Title X. LaitySection 1. Pastoral OrientationSection 2. FamilySection 3. YouthSection 4. WomenSection 5. CatechistsSection 6. Migrant WorkersSection 7. Lay Evangelizers

Title XI. ReligiousSection 1. “Ad Extra” Concerns

1. Areas of Collaboration with

Bishops/Diocese/Parish

2. Structures for Collaboration3. Policies Regarding Collaboration4. Charisms and the Local Church

Section 2. “Ad Intra” concern

Title XII. ClergySection 1. NumbersSection 2. Formation

1. Seminary Formation2. Continuing Formation

Section 3. Spirituality and LifestyleSection 4. Relationships with Religious/LaitySection 5. Temporalitiessection 6. Bishops

Title XIII. InstitutionSection 1. Media and CommunicationSection 2. Catholic SchoolsSection 3. Basic Ecclesial CommunitiesSection 4. Formation, Research, Theological CentersSection 5. Religious Organizations, Councils,

MovementsSection 6. TemporalitiesSection 7. Structures/Programs

a. Parish and Diocesan Levelsb. National Level

Title XIV. Implementation