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Mercy in the midst of merciless killings

One big challenge for the World Apostolic Congress in Manila is to counter the culture of death in the Philippines
Mercy in the midst of merciless killings

Family members show grief upon learning of the death of a loved one, a victim of a summary killing, in Manila. (Photo by Vincent Go)

Published: January 11, 2017 03:30 AM GMT
Updated: January 11, 2017 03:42 AM GMT

Catholics from all over the world — some 4,000 of them — will meet in the Philippines later this month to talk about mercy. 

What a timely and opportune time for this predominantly Catholic country, which has been witness to the "merciless killings" of some 6,000 people in the past six months, to start the year.

Although the 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy was planned way before the spate of summary executions, the meeting comes at the most perfect time.

A leading Filipino bishop said the gathering is an opportunity for Filipinos to reflect on what they can do to address the growing culture of death brought about by the government's war against illegal drugs.

"It will be a healing process for us. It will be a healing for us, and an opening that there's still hope," said Bishop Ruperto Santos, coordinator of the global gathering.

The world apostolic congress is an international gathering of devotees of the Divine Mercy. It was last held in Colombia in 2014.

A wide range of "experts," including church leaders, are expected to address the delegates. There will be visits to various "places of mercy," including hospices and poor communities.

The country's four cardinals will preside over Masses, while mass confession of sins, or the sacrament of reconciliation, will be officiated by some 200 priests and bishops.

There might be prayers offered for the more than 6,000 people who have already died in the government's war against drugs.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who said he would kill all drug addicts in the country, has been invited to the event but has yet to confirm if he would attend.

A church official said he hopes the president will attend because the event can be a "good opportunity for conversion" and for the church and the government to work together.

Organizers of the event have repeatedly stressed the need to "promote, preserve, and respect life" ahead of the global meeting.

Among the activities planned for the weeklong event are visits to homes for orphans, the elderly, the mentally ill, drug addicts, and an indigenous people community to allow the delegates "to feel the grace and mercy of God" with the "least, the last, and the lost" of society.

Who knows, miracles can still happen. Like Cleopas on the road to Emmaus, delegates to the meeting, especially the Filipinos, will recognize the face of God among the families and victims of summary executions.

They might as well visit Manila's morgues where hundreds of unclaimed bodies of victims of killings have been dumped without the benefit of a prayer or a blessing from a priest. 

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, Cleopas and another apostle were walking toward Emmaus when they met Jesus. 

The disciples, hopeless and in despair, were on the road after leaving Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. They were scandalized and frustrated by the events of the previous days. They did not recognize Jesus, but they talked about their sadness. 

This month's gathering on mercy can be a Road to Emmaus for Filipinos who would dare walk the dark and stinky alleys where the families of those who died — the "least, the last, and the lost" of society — struggle to live.

Like the apostles, the families of victims need hope, and hope is an antidote to mercilessness.

Organizers said the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, which carries the theme "Communion in Mercy; Mission for Mercy," is a chance to experience "metanoia," or a change of heart and mind, especially for those who will undergo the sacrament of reconciliation.

The event aims to "accelerate the culture of mercy in the church and in the world." 

But if the meeting will only "speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love," as Paul said to the Corinthians, then the gathering will only "become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."

The challenge is to counter not only the culture of death that pervades not only in Philippine society but also to affirm the perennial strength and capacity of hope in God's mercy for all. Hope makes the flame of our hearts burn. It is what keeps us alive and commit to life.

Joe Torres is bureau chief of the Union of Catholic Asian News in Manila. 

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