German pastoral workers laud Cotabato archdiocese programs

COTABATO CITY (Aug.
30/NDBC) — Lay pastoral workers from Regensburg, Germany lauded the Archdiocese
of Cotabato for its various ministries, especially the inter-religious
dialogues in North Cotabato, officials said today.

The 11 lay
pastoral workers from Germany toured various ministries in North Cotabato,
Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provicnes.

The visit was
dubbed as the Regensburg Visit” with the guests, some of whom are pastoral
workers for Miserior and Missio, two of the largest international Catholic aid
organizations in the world, describing the journey as an excellent” and
meaningful one.”

After the
trip, which included immersion in many local communities, the workers vowed to
bring back to Germany their first-hand experience of the dynamic Church of
Cotabato with special intentions to pray especially for the plight of the
indigenous peoples and for the continuing quest for lasting peace in Mindanao.

Miserior and
Missio have also been funding pastoral programs in Cotabato Archdiocese, as
well as providing assistance to lay workers and their dependents. The rest of
the visitors are teachers in Germany.

The trip
included visits to Indigenous Peoples (IP) schools in Timanan, South Upi, Basic
Ecclesial Communities (BEC) in the different parishes where they stayed in
order to experience the real-life activities of the BECs such as those
participated in by the youth, catechists, family groupings, and the Kaabags
(lay ministers).

They also
experienced first-hand liturgical celebrations in the parishes and the
celebrations of the liturgy without a priest.

The German
workers also got to meet IP communities, particularly in Renebon, Pigcawayan,
where they heard a lot about the plight of the Lumads who continue to struggle
against mining operations in their area. The group of the Aromanen Manobo in
the area shared how the Church, through the BECs, has helped them fight for
their rights.

Another
equally significant visit was a trip to the areas of the zones of peace”,
particularly in Pikit parish where the visitors witnessed the vibrant
inter-religious dialogue ministry especially prioritized by the Oblates of Mary
Immaculate.

At the start
of the visit, presentations were made on the pastoral programs of the
archdiocese, as well as the activities under the Social Action-Justice and
Peace commission. The German lay workers also met the parents and scholars
being supported by the archdiocese with support from Germany.

Through the
assistance of Cotabato’s Local Government Unit, Mayor Guiapal J. Guiani, Jr,
Administrator Atty. Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, and the City Tourism Office, the
visitors were taken to the Grand Mosque in Kalanganan and to the project site
on the Production of In-aul Sewing and Weaving of Garments organized by a group
of Moro women.

Part of the
city tour was to visit one of the oldest churches in the country, the Tamontaka
Church which was built by the Jesuits.

A very
memorable visit also took place at Cotabato Bahay-Maria, a home for the aged,
the sick and abandoned.

The
Regensburg Visit” continued in the Diocese of Kidapawan where they
participated in the mass especially offered for Fr. Tulio Favali and Fr. Fausto
Tentorio, who were murdered for their advocacies for the marginalized and the
oppressed. (NDBC)