“The 2nd National Priests’ Encounter affirms a renewed Cursillo Movement: a help in the renewal of the local church.”
RATIONALE
The Cursillos in Christianity Movement has been in its existence for 59 years in the Philippines which for times was phenomenal among movements and organization in the Church.
The Cursillistas adopts the lay, apostolate concept but sad to say no common understanding in different Arch/Dioceses.
Through the years, the experience of the Cursillo in the different Arch/Dioceses had led to different practices and such led to missing the purpose and essence of the movement.
MAIN OBJECTIVE
Re-introduction of the Cursillo Movement.
In response to the current situation in the Cursillo Movement in the Philippines, the Philippine National Cursillo Secretariat (PNCS) organized an encounter for priest, the Cursillos de Cristiandad 2nd National Priests’ Encounter, attended by 3 Bishops and 53 priests held at St. Francis Seraph Convent, Talisay City, Cebu on June 6-10, 2022, the clergy represented 25 Arch/Dioceses in the country.
His Excellency Jose S. Palma, D.D., Archbishop of Cebu celebrated the Opening Mass and Auxiliary Bishop-Emeritus of Cebu, Emilio L. Bataclan, former Spiritual Director of Cursillo in Cebu attended sessions during the Encounter.
The Archbishop of Durango, Mexico, Most Rev. Faustino Armendariz Jimenez was one of the speakers in the encounter. He is the Spiritual Advisor of the World Organization of the Cursillo Movement, the Organismo Mundial de Cursillos de Cristiandad (OMCC) in 4 years now. Another speaker was Juan Adolfo Moguel Ortiz, President of OMCC and Juan Ruiz, former President of OMCC and USA National Hispanic Coordinator.
The topics in the encounter focused on the History, Charism, Purpose, Method and Structure of the Cursillo Movement. Margaret J. Morris, President of one of the international groups of Cursillo Movement, the Asia Pacific Group (APG) presented the scope and updates of the Movement and the Philippine Cursillo’s involvement. Margaret was joined in gracing and observing the encounter along with Peter McMahon, Vice-President of the APG; both from Australia.
Aside from priest, the 2nd NPE was also participated by 63 Lay Cursillistas from the different Arch/Dioceses served in the logistics and facilitation of the encounter led by the President of Philippine National Cursillo Secretariat (PNCS), Bro, Conrado “Boy” Dizon, VP of PNCS Bro. Jose “Pepe” Hilario and Msgr. Roberto A. Espenilla as Spiritual Advisor.
The gathering aims for the renewal in the Cursillo Movement in the country. That Cursillo be able to actively participate in the evangelization. The PNCS deemed that such renewal starts with the clergy who themselves are prime movers in the Church particularly in the parishes.
The priests were able to consolidate their support through a Resolution manifesting recognizing the Cursillo and its significance in the life and mission of the Church today, particularly in its task of evangelization being an ecclesial movement in and for the Church.
The convenor of this encounter as mentioned in the CBCP’s endorsement, Circular No. 22-19 is very hopeful that the Cursillo Movement, if re-introduce properly, could become a potent force in the renewal of the local church in view of the synod path, that Pope Francis would like the church to journey on.
In the pastoral plan of the Cursillo shall contain the establishment of an active School of Leaders (SOL), and a Secretariat which comes from the SOL and a Priest designated by the Bishop as Spiritual Advisor.
Furthermore, the clergy present in the 2nd NPE shall recommend to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines the integration of the Cursillo Movement in its pastoral priorities, particularly in the evangelization program adopting its charism, purpose, methodology, and structure.
The comprehensive course of action shall now be done in the post 2nd National Priests’ Encounter.
May the grace of God, the Almighty be with us in this journey.
