Philippine bishop says simple programs make Bible part of daily life

(Oct.23, 2008):-"Making the word of God an integral part of people's lives requires simple, practical programs, not grandiose and unattainable plans," Filipino Bishop Luis Tagle of Imus said on Wed. He said the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible was providing serious and realistic ideas for strengthening people's relationship with Scripture. "Synod members realize that their task is not just to help the faithful get their hands on the Bible and read it more often," he said, "but also to foster a yearning to encounter the Lord, who speaks and reveals so many beautiful things about life and the meaning of life in his very own words."
Bishop Tagle said the one idea that has been working in the Philippines is his weekly, hour-long, nationally televised catechetical program on "The Word Exposed." He said the church should do more to use mass media, since even remote communities have radios and sometimes access to the Internet.
Bishop Tagle also said the "Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, is witnessing a growing Christian evangelical movement, but the church is trying to avoid looking at this growing movement with prejudice or suspicion. Instead we humbly ask what is it that helps them attract such a growing number of people ? We believe we have a fuller approach to the word, but how come it is not felt?" he asked. Bishop Tagle said if Catholics are to "go beyond what the fundamentalist groups are doing, they must challenge themselves to consistently live the word of God and deepen their sense of spirituality because the best people, who can communicate the word are those people who have truly encountered Jesus in the word.”