Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Church leaders hope that the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu to be held on January 24 to 31, 2016 could once again deepen and strengthen Catholic faith — just as it did when Pope Francis visited the Philippines earlier this year.
But with the congress scheduled just a few months away from the national elections, church officials tell politicians, “this is no venue for campaigning”.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma insisted that the committee is saying that politicians have no active role during the congress. They, however, can attend as private people.
“We will certainly have a way of telling them that this is not an opportunity to campaign, but adore the Lord,” he said.
The International Eucharistic Congress is a gathering that usually takes place every four years.
The last time the country hosted the congress was back in 1937.
The church officials hope that the congress will not just deepen Catholic faith but also prepare them for the 500th anniversary of Catholicism in the Philippines in 2021.
Reenergizing Catholic faith
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said on Wednesday (August 12), church leaders also have a lot of work to do in reenergizing Catholic faith.
“Malimit kong naririnig sana ‘yung improvement din sa homilies ng mga pari,” he said.
[Translation: I often hear comments asking for improvements in the homilies of priests].
Tagle added that the congress would be a great declaration of where Christians can find hope that could be translated into a lifestyle.
Church leaders from all over the world will be holding talks about the Eucharist.
While the church leaders said that the chances of Pope Francis gracing the event are slim, they are already expecting millions to attend the culminating activity — the Sunday mass.
CNN Philippines’ Pia Bonalos contributed to this report.
