Good day my Filipino Brethren!
Defensores Fidei Foundation already brought Tim Staples & Steve Ray to the Philippines 2 years ago. Tim works at Catholic Answers and Steve is a regular guest and contributor as well. In fact, there were apologetics seminars held in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. There was a rumor I heard that Steve might probably return to the Philippines this August.
My suggestion is that we shouldn’t be so hasty in approaching our Bishops and Priests regarding apologetics otherwise they might become more disinterested. So many times, I myself got a cold shoulder from priests every time I talk to them about apologetics. The usual “UH-HUH” reaction is never missing. Either because apologetics is so basic for them or they are not interested at all.
I notice that in almost every locality, not just in the Philippines, it is the “sheeps” (laymen) instead of the “shepherds” (Bishops) who had the initiative in promoting evangelization & apologetics.
Please read this very excellent analysis of Fr. Brian Harrison as regards to this issue:
rtforum.org/lt/lt18.html
Not that layperson should not do anything, but it would be great to see our Bishops and priests be as passionate and interested in spreading the gospel in the same way they are very
“fiery”
when it comes to POLITICAL ISSUES. In fact the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church in the PROLOGUE Sec. 12 says,
"This work (Catechism) is intended primarily for those responsible for Catechesis:
FIRST OF ALL THE BISHOPS, AS TEACHERS OF THE FAITH AND PASTORS OF THE CHURCH."
Probably almost all Catholic Apologists in the Philippines know about Catholic Answers. I agree with you that we should promote this organization! If priests and Bishops are not interested in apologetics then we should bring it to those WHO MIGHT, namely the Basic Ecclesiastical Communities or what we in the South commonly call the GKK (Ginagmay Kristohanong Katilimban.) These communities are the LIFE AND BLOOD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES. From what a deacon told me, THEY ARE OFTEN THE TARGET OF PROTESTANT SECTS BECAUSE OF THEIR PASSION IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL VOLUNTARILY.
Remember my friends, when Jesus started preaching, he did not start in his hometown because of their disinterest. He instead preached to the Gentiles where they show interest in his works. Let us find priests and Bishops who might show interest and CONCERN in our endeavor, I believe there are still few.
Second, LET US BRING THE GOSPEL TO THE YOUTH. Majority of our population comprise of youth. Let us introduce apologetics to organization like YOUTH FOR CHRIST AND SINGLES FOR CHRIST or those CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC ORGANIZATIONS. At least THERE IS A PRESUMPTION THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE PASSIONATE IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL. What we need to do is ARM them with the RIGHT TOOLS.
Third, SCHOOLS ARE DIFFERENTLY AGENTS OF CHANGE. The influence they have in society is undoubtedly significant! That’s why we need to penetrate school organization so that people can see and listen to what we are teaching and advocating. If we can get schools to support us, we might attract students as members who might contribute both intellectually and financially to our advocacy!
God bless you all!
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