Cotabato City approves resolution honoring Oblates
• 19:18 PM Mon Sep 29, 2014
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By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
Cotabato City Councilor Froilan F. Melendrez
COTABATO
CITY (Sept. 29) – The Cotabato City’s 14th Sangguniang Panglungsod
has passed a resolution congratulating the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) on
its 75th year of daring missionary presence in the Philippines.
Sponsored by Cotabato City Councilor Froilan F. Melendrez, Resolution No. 5627 was
unanimously approved by the city legislative body on September 23 during its regular
session.
The
Oblates are close to Melendrez’s heart sincehe was once a member of the
Junior Oblates of Mary Immaculate (JOMI) community in Notre Dame University and
once aspired to become an Oblate priest.
The
resolution also recognized the OMI’s contribution to the religious, political
and economic development of the Cotabato City and the then Cotabato Empire.
With
its passionate immersion to the community, unmindful of the difficulties and
great sacrifices, the Oblates reached out to the Filipino people without any
prejudice to their religion, creed, beliefs and ethnicity,” the resolution
said.
The
resolution also mentioned about the OMI Fathers and Brothers who were undeniably
and admirably significant partners in bringing forth spiritual, political and
socio-economic transformation in this part of the country, particularly in the
empire province of Cotabato, provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the entire
country.”
It
also said that aside from spreading the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, the
Oblates generously established schools and seminaries, built churches and
chapels, developed housing projects, introduced livelihoods and founded
hospitals as well as media entities like the Notre Dame Broadcasting
Corporation and The Mindanao Cross as their means of reaching the poor.”
More
importantly, the resolution said, the Oblates were active stewards in
advancing issues on justice and peace, fostering church and state relations,
and strengthening inter-religious dialogues, particularly Christians, Muslims
and Lumads.”
Copies of the
resolution was forwarded to Fr. Larry de Guia, OMI provincial superior.