BEACHES AND CHURCHES: CHURCHES IN THE DIOCESE OF KALIBO AND THE 126TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE CBCP

The 126^th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) last July 2 to 10, 2023 was sponsored by the Diocese of Kalibo. The bishops had decided previously to look into the possibility of having the bi-annual meeting of the bishops be done in other dioceses instead just in Manila. This will also be a chance for the people to see all the bishops gathered in one place. When I broached the idea to Bp. Talaoc of having Kalibo sponsor the next plenary, he was receptive. After some meetings with his clergy, he finalized his acceptance of sponsoring the meeting. The July meeting of the bishops usually starts with a three-day retreat followed by another two and a half days of meeting with a break in between. The break in between the meeting was also recently introduced and it was an overnight trip to Boracay where the bishops were able to unwind by going to the beach.

The plenary assembly in Kalibo also gave me the opportunity to visit the parish churches of five towns of the province of Aklan that I was not able to go in my previous trips: Lezo, Malinao, Madalag, Libacao and Batan. I already went to New Washington before, but it was so long ago before digital cameras became available. So I also placed it in my bucket list as places to go.

Kalibo Cathedral

Marzon Hotel where the bishops' retreat and plenary was held.

The Secretariat staff that ensured the smooth flow of the plenary assembly.

Our IT personnel from the Media Office of the CBCP

With the priests of Kalibo who formed the local committee in ensuring the success of the retreat and plenary assembly of the bishops.

Cardinal O'Malley, the archbishop of Boston and the President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors was the retreat master. He could not come personally, so he had his talks videotaped.