100 bishops gather in Manila
-A A +ASaturday, January 26, 2013
NINETY-eight bishop-members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) are now gathered at the Pope Pius XII Center in Manila for their 106th Plenary Assembly.
In a report by CBCP News, 88 active and 10 retired bishops from various dioceses across the country are in attendance to tackle administrative and national concerns.
To note, the CBCP has more than 120 active and retired members invited to attend its bi-annual meeting in Manila.
The bishops are in-line to hear the reported presentation of the Automated Election System Watch (AES Watch) of the flaws and dangers of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines anytime during the three-day meet.
According to CBCP sources, AES Watch is set to present before the bishops, since many of them remain skeptical over the credibility and reliability of the PCOS machines as the core of the country’s automated election system (AES).
“Seryoso ang Simbahan na pag-aralan, suriin yung PCOS at yung gaano ito talaga makaka-ensure na totoo yung lalabas na resulta,” according to a source.
The PCOS machines are set to be re-used by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the forthcoming May 13 midterm polls.
Traditionally, the bishops tackle administrative and diocesan matters in the first two days and reserve the last day to discuss “other matters” with mostly involving pressing national issues.
In a message to the CBCP for the opening of the convention, Pope Benedict XVI convey his “apostolic blessing” to the Filipino bishops and said that he trusts that their meeting “will bear fruit.”
He also prayed for the activities planned by the CBCP for the beginning of the nine-year period of preparation for the fifth centenary celebration of Christianity in the Philippines.
The Pontiff’s message was relayed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone through Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, who graced the opening of the plenary assembly.
The CBCP Plenary Assembly is considered as the highest decision-making body of the conference. (HDT)
Local news
Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent and respectful. Do not shout or use CAPITAL LETTERS!
