MANILA, July 30, 2009-The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has approved the establishment of an office on health care in every diocese to attend to the needs of the handicapped, elderly, sick and dying.
The CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Health Care (ECHC) presented the proposal during the 99th Bishops' Plenary Assembly held in Manila on July 11-12, 2009
Fr. Luke Moortgat, Executive Secretary of ECHC, said that the decision of the bishops was unanimous.
"It was a unanimous decision. This was really a milestone in our Catholic Church. This is a huge event that will have its beneficial effects for years and years to come," he expressed.
The final decision, however, of establishing of any office in the diocese will still depend on the local bishop according to Church law.
"We also thank God for all the people who prayed and worked for this decision to become true," Moortgat said.
He added that the diocesan and parochial commissions becoming part of the network as sub-offices of the ECHC will result in a coordinated action towards helping persons with disabilities.
Moortgat said that the planning for the establishment of the diocesan and parochial commissions is a gradual development which has already started by linking the dioceses through a newsletter of ECHC.
During the same plenary assembly, the bishops also approved the proposal that a second collection in all parishes be made during masses celebrating the World Day of the Sick on February 11, 2010 for the use of the health care ministry. (Kate Laceda)