60 years of diplomatic ties between the Holy See and the Philippines
(April 16, 2011) Archbishop Dominique Mamberti Vatican Secretary for Relations with
States, in his homily at Holy Mass on Thursday in St Peter’s Basilica. The occasion
was the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Holy
See and the Republic of the Philippines. The celebration was at the so-called altar
of the throne, just behind the altar of confession. The Archbishop paid homage to
the dynamism of the Church in this predominantly catholic country, for promoting the
common good in the intellectual, moral and spiritual formation of youth. Also known
was the church’s efforts on behalf of health care and charitable works on behalf
of the most needy sectors of the population. The prelate underlined the respect for
the human person as a basic principle of Catholic social doctrine. He prayed that
young Filipinos grow in wisdom, faith and love to be able to contribute to the development
of society, for their own benefit in the final analysis. And he prayed further that
efforts to promote reconciliation, stability and peace at Mindanao be successful.
Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The establishment
of diplomatic relations goes back to the 9th April 1951 under the Pontificate
of Pope Pius XII