Pope commends Philippine bishops for defending life, campaign against death penalty

(November 29, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI has commended the bishops of the Philippines for their commitment to human life, including their campaign against death penalty, saying it forms part of the Church’s prophetic task. The Pope met the Filipino bishops on their so-called ‘ad limina’ visit to Rome that heads of dioceses are required to make every five years to report on the state of their jurisdiction. “The Church’s prophetic office demands that she be free “to preach the faith, to teach her social doctrine ... and also to pass moral judgments in those matters which regard public order whenever the fundamental human rights of a person or the salvation of souls requires it,” the Pope said. “In the light of this prophetic task,” the Pope said, “I commend the Church in the Philippines for seeking to play its part in support of human life from conception until natural death, and in defence of the integrity of marriage and the family. The Pope also expressed appreciation for their “work to abolish the death penalty” in their country. The Holy Father also urged that the voice of the Church be heard in the field of social communications and the media, particularly encouraging the Catholic laity to help propose the Christian message in a convincing and attractive way. Among other issues, Pope Benedict encouraged the Filipino bishop in their commitment to economic and social concerns, particularly towards the poorest and the weakest in society and their on-going commitment to the struggle against corruption.