At least 98 Philippine Catholic bishops will meet with Pope Benedict
over the next three months when they travel to the Vatican for their “ad
limina” visits.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) secretary
general Msgr. Juanito Figura said the prelates will report to the Pope
about developments in their dioceses and the concerns of their flock,
GMA News TV reports.
“It’s called quinquennial visit ad limina apostolorum wherein the
bishops will meet the pope and report on the state of their dioceses or
prelatures,” Figura said on the CBCP news site.
“Aside from that they are also encouraged to visit the various
dicasteries or offices of the Roman Curia … the Sacred Congregations and
the Pontifical Councils,” he added.
The Pope is also expected to give his address to the visiting members of the Philippine bishops’ collegial body.
Figura said all the 98 active CBCP members have the chance to visit the pontiff. The bishops will be divided into three groups:
(1) Prelates from 30 pastoral jurisdictions in Metro Manila and
Central and Northern Luzon; scheduled to stay at the Vatican from
November 25 to December 6 this year;
(2) Bishops from the 28 dioceses in Southern Luzon, Visayas and the
Military Ordinariate; will visit the Vatican from February 7 to 19,
2011.
(3) Bishops from Mindanao including the Archbishop of Lipa; February 21 to March 5, 2011.
SIC: CTH/ASIA