“We, the Association of Major Religious Superiors of Women with our congregational charisms and heritage, are one in responding to God’s call to be witnesses of Christ and bearers of the Good News…We journey with one another and with the Filipino people in our common aspiration to enjoy fullness of life reflecting God’s justice and compassion.” (AMRSP Vision-Mission, 2003)

We, as a people, are at the brink of eminent national change resulting from the peoples’ overwhelming mandate for the newly elected President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. This context presents the Filipino people with a rare opportunity to address pressing social problems and effect fundamental changes Now. 

Impelled by the urgency of the signs of the times, one hundred thirty-four (134) Religious Sisters and nine Mission Partners gathered at the Benedictine Sisters’ St. Scholastica’s Center of Spirituality, in Tagaytay, from July 5-8, 2010. Adopting the theme “Spirituality of Power: From Control to Compassion”, we reflected on our use of power, discerned our leadership styles, our work ethics, relationships, values and institutional behaviors.

Here, we deconstruct traditional concepts and practices of power which are hierarchical, patriarchal, controlling, destructive and abusive.  We choose power that empowers, power that heals, unites, inspires hope and awakens a passion for mission, a power synonymous to care and compassion, for compassion is empowering care made universal.  Power is relational energy, which when used with historical patience and compassionate presence (Father Percy Bacani, MJ) becomes a formidable force to overcome experiences of injustice and social inequities.  We take Jesus as our model of authority – Jesus as the epitome of a servant leader. Like Christ, we are Servants first. Jesus Christ’s approach as a leader was to be a servant and a missioner, for He concretized his vision of building the Reign of God on earth into a mission for prophetic action. (Bacani) “He went about doing good,” a mission of service and compassion grounded on and sustained by His deep intimacy with God, His dear Abba.

We, Religious Women Superiors, shall use power in a manner that is respectful of each person, because at the core of each human being, according to our Faith, is the indwelling of the Spirit of the Risen Lord. Each one is a masterpiece of God’s creation, a “bosom of the universe” (Father Carlos Abesamis, SJ) exuding an inner grace and power to be transformed as prophetic leaders.  We believe that “a mystic is a prophet in contemplation, and a prophet is a mystic in action.” (Sister Mary John Mananzan, OSB, William Hocking)

We are compelled at this unique junction of our lives and history as Church leaders, to lead as Jesus led – to be servants. Servant-leaders who exclude no one, embrace everyone, especially the broken, poor, oppressed, exploited and unloved.

In this context, we reaffirm our commitment to journey as Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines together with our people, to fulfill our common vision and mission.  Leadership and power cannot operate in isolation or in a vacuum. We need to translate this commitment into a reality. We need to actively engage in addressing various social issues and concerns together with our Mission Partners. We ensure good governance by exercising our citizenship on a day to day basis, as Filipinos, as citizens of this universe.  Every social engagement is a grace-filled opportunity to create and craft a new way of being human, a new way of being Church.

We commit ourselves to the following:

As Leaders of our Congregations/Communities

Sustain our intimacy with the Source of power and draw from Him a contemplative and compassionate heart;

Provide the right direction based on clarity of vision and mission; Harness the potential of our Sisters for leadership; Ensure shared leadership by empowering our Sisters to take responsibility with dignity and integrity; Practice mutual correction among ourselves with love and care. Continue learning the ways of servant leadership

As Congregations/Institutions/Communities

Create and implement empowerment programs with our lay partners; Facilitate programs for leaders and animators in accompanying sisters in state of vulnerability (undergoing crisis, victims of abuse, and life transition) within a climate of trust, freedom and dialogue; Intensify our advocacies in the protection of environment, climate change, human trafficking, indigenous people, women, children and the poor/victims of injustice; Involve communities, institutions, the AMRSWP in shared discernment as an approach to our common mission.

As Association of Major Religious Superiors of Women in the Philippines (AMRSWP)

Recognize our mission partners by officially incorporating them in the AMRSP Constitution and By-Laws to ensure clarity, support and closer collaboration; Strengthen and broaden participation of women religious in the regions for closer networking with the AMRSWP; Initiate dialogue with the Bishops regarding the role of women in the Church.

For Our Country

Work for the revival of the Watch, Pray and Act Movement; Initiate dialogue among bishops, religious, lawmakers on the Reproductive Health Bill; Launch a Citizens’ Watch for Good Governance in our institutions;

Sponsor First Friday masses for good governance;  Continue lobbying for the repeal of the Mining Law and the passage of an alternative mining bill; Be in solidarity with the farmers in their struggle for land ownership and with the indigenous people in reclaiming and protecting their ancestral domain; Offer spiritual formation programs and values education to civil servants/government offices’ staff;  Support the Truth Commission in its pursuit of truth, justice and reconciliation;  Engage in peace education in support of the peace processes.

Together, we stand as women of deep faith, fervent hope and vibrant love. We move forward in our common journey, walking humbly with the God of history, Source of power and compassion. And, we invoke the guidance and intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our founders and foundresses, our courageous women predecessors…that in all things God may be glorified.

Participants in the AMRSWP Biennial Convention 2010

July 8, 2010

St.  Scholastica’s Center of Spirituality, Tagaytay City