At least 98 Philippine Catholic bishops will meet with Pope Benedict XVI starting in November when they go to the Vatican in Rome for their “ad limina" visit.
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.
“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) Bshops from Mindanao including the Archbishop of Lipa; February 21 to March 5, 2011.
The Catholic Encyclopedia says the visit ad limina means, technically, the obligation incumbent on certain members of the hierarchy of visiting, at stated times, the "thresholds of the Apostles", Sts. Peter and Paul.
Bishops have to present themselves "before the pope to give an account of the state of their dioceses," the encyclopedia says.
"The object of the visit is not merely to make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles, but, above all, to show the proper reverence for the Successor of St. Peter (the Pope)," it adds.
(Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/204692/nearly-100-philippine-bishops-to-visit-pope-starting-november)
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.
“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) Bshops from Mindanao including the Archbishop of Lipa; February 21 to March 5, 2011.
The Catholic Encyclopedia says the visit ad limina means, technically, the obligation incumbent on certain members of the hierarchy of visiting, at stated times, the "thresholds of the Apostles", Sts. Peter and Paul.
Bishops have to present themselves "before the pope to give an account of the state of their dioceses," the encyclopedia says.
"The object of the visit is not merely to make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles, but, above all, to show the proper reverence for the Successor of St. Peter (the Pope)," it adds.
(Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/204692/nearly-100-philippine-bishops-to-visit-pope-starting-november)