10 non-Catholic leaders to meet with Pope Francis in PHL

Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines in January will indeed be an inclusive one, as far as religious groups are concerned.

The Pope is to meet with 10 leaders of non-Catholic denominations at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said.

“We tried to seek peace and unity and the Pope is promoting the ecumenical movement and another thing, interreligious dialogue,” said CBCP Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue executive secretary Fr. Carlos Reyes.

Reyes indicated those who will meet with the pope are from religious groups actively promoting the ecumenical movement.

He voiced hopes next year's papal visit will foster more cooperation, mutual respect and trust among religious leaders.

Christian-Muslim ties

Meanwhile, the Imam Council of the Philippines and Philippine National Police Chaplain Service see the papal visit improving ties between Christians and Muslims.

Imam Council of the Philippines chairman Imam Ibrahim Moxir Alhaj said the Pope’s visit will be a blessing to the Christian community and the whole country.

“First, what I can tell the Pope is, I hope the mutual and symbiotic nature of the relationship between Christian and Islam religions continues. Let us Filipinos unite for peace in the Philippines,” Imam Moxir told Manila archdiocese-run Radio Veritas.

“I’m thankful that I will be able to see the highest leader of the Catholic religion. I’m hoping that it will also be the start for us Filipinos to actively join and participate in our programs,” he added. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News