SANGGUNIANG LAIKO NG PILIPINAS
23rd Biennial National Convention
October 27-29, 2023
RESOLUTIONS
We, the 299 participants representing the 28 Lay Organizations and Movements (LOMAS) and the 37 Arch/Diocesan Councils of the Laity are gathered during the 23rd National Biennial Convention of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas held on October 27 to 29, 2023 in Tacloban City in the Diocese of Palo with the theme: ‘United in Mission as a Synodal Church’ which is held in time of the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican.
It is the first time the participants from all over the Philippines are gathered face to face after the pandemic caused by Covid-19 virus.
- INTEGRAL FORMATION
As lay members of the Church, we are aware of the urgency to provide an integral, integrated formation for different age levels, cultures, languages, social classes, gender, etc. We are called to provide structures and spaces for this endeavor emphasizing the spiritual, doctrinal, and social dimensions, we resolve to:
- Deepen our relationship with God through prayer, contemplation, and silence that disposes a discerning and listening heart in all our activities and gatherings.
- Provide a common integral formation program on the role of the laity in the Church through the Apostolic Exhortation, Christi Fideles Laici that is made available for all Lay Organizations and Movements (LOMAS) and Arch/Diocesan Councils of the Laity.
- CO-RESPONSIBILITY
We recognize that we all called to serve through the gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit. Each one has equal opportunity to serve for the mission. As lay, we need to find ways on how we can complement and not to compete with each other. We can only do this if we know who we are and where we are coming from, we resolve to:
- Foster an environment of open dialogue and collaboration between lay and clergy for the fulfillment of the mission of the Church through listening, respecting each other and walking together.
- Promote affective collegiality among members of the Church to bring about a sense of owning in its activities and life.
- Journey together as a synodal Church with its structures of better listening that all voices are heard and valued.
2. INCLUSION
A great challenge of a synodal Church today is a desire to be converted from our own pre-judgements and see things in the eyes of God; to be firm in our faith, to do what we believe and be able to respect others. We are convinced that dialogue is a way of building bridges to break boundaries that divide and foster unity in the midst of differences, we resolve to:
- Reach out and welcome everyone in the community; journeying with them in the different teachings and sharing our faith life experience.
- Provide opportunities of participation and engage in the mission of the Church, the young people, those who are considered to be in the peripheries, and those with special needs.
- Collaborate with people of other faith, Christian groups and denominations, and indigenous people in addressing our common concerns like working for peace, care for our common home, pursuit for good governance, and alleviation of poverty.
All these, we entrust into the hands of God with Mary as our icon of synodality to accompany us, as we commit ourselves, dedicate our time, and economic resources for the fulfillment of these resolutions in the next two years.
