We, the 205 superiors and delegates of the AMRSP Convention of 2019, have gathered here in Iloilo City to reflect on the theme of “Consecrated Persons Accompanying the Filipino Youth in mission: Beloved, Gifted, Empowered.”

Along the Road to Emmaus

Resource Persons
At the convention, we listened intently to the talks of Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD, DD, Chair of Episcopal Commission on Youth on the theme of the convention; Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD, of Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro on “The National Situation from the Mindanao Perspective;” Ms. Leslie Ann Rosal of Ateneo de Manila, Theology Department, on “#Millennials: Understanding the Filipino Youth Towards Church Transformation and Mission;” Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, Diocese of Pasig, on “P/Reaching to the Post-Millennials in the Philippine Contemporary Culture;” Sean Patrick Lovett, the Vatican Chief Correspondent and Vice President of the Center for Research and Education in Communication on “Impacting Young People’s Lives Through Communication, the Greatest Thrill;” and Fr. John Era, CM, on “The Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal: The Challenges and Opportunities Accompanying the Youth in the World Today.”

The Filipino Youth
We also listened to the reports of our mission partners which can help us deal with the youth, and engaged in the Faith Conversation with Fr. Mark Lester Senina, the Diocesan Youth Director of Jaro, and his staff, and lastly, dialogued with the youths themselves, face-to-face in their schools.
As a result, we came to know more about them, their characteristic traits, their confusions, their anxieties, their loneliness, their disbeliefs and their need to be listened to without judgment. “Standing still and looking sad” (Lk 24:17b), they are afflicted by what is happening around, they find themselves in a world threatened by climate change, injustices, corruption and violation of human rights.

Climate Change
Pope Francis called the situation of the environment a climate emergency that threatens the very survival of the human race. We heard the cry of the earth as it groans from the heavy burden imposed by consumerism and materialism. Present and future generations will live in a world of death and destruction if we do not take radical steps to stem the tide of climate change.

Injustices
We listened to the cry of the poor wallowing in abject poverty both in the urban and rural areas. Worldwide, the richest families control more than half of earthly goods. Inequality, exclusion and inequitable distribution of resources have impoverished and forcibly displaced so many, killing the dreams of our youth for a humane life. Laborers are in a continuing diaspora, searching for greener pastures abroad only to fall victim to human trafficking. Back home, they work under unjust conditions, plagued by contractualization.

Corruption
Billions of pesos are lost every year to graft and corruption. The public coffers have become the milking cow of those in power, further entrenching a system of patronage and privilege. Good governance and accountability is a goal we have yet to achieve even as pockets of hope bloom in some areas.

Violation of Human Rights
Peace remains elusive in our beloved land as violence and conflict continue to escalate. Killings have become the norm. Conflict has disrupted the formation of the young especially the lumads, as their indigenous schools have been ordered closed by the government. Political prisoners have risen in number as peace talks have bogged down.

Accompaniment
Like Jesus who walked with his two disciples going to Emmaus, listening to them, interpreting the Word of God, staying with them and sharing a meal, we, major religious superiors and our members in the congregations, will accompany the present youth and let them realize that God has been with them, lovingly gazing at them, in this broken world.
“Stay with us, because it is almost evening…” (Lk. 24:29b)
Like the two disciples, the youth invite us to stay with them. As servant-leaders, we bend low to serve them who are the least, the last, the lost and the lonely.
As shepherds of the flock, we use our power and authority with dignity and humility, at the service of hope and healing, of mercy and compassion – OF JOY AND OF LOVE.

Back to Jerusalem
Like the two disciples, the youth hopefully go back empowered as we affirm their inherent role in continuing God’s mission to “proclaim the gospel until the ends of the earth (Mk 16:15). They are ready for action, empowered by the Holy Spirit to do wonderful things in the Church and in the world.

Christus Vivit
His Holiness Pope Francis, in this Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, reminds us adults, that “… Jesus has no use for adults who look down on the young or lord it over them” (CV 14). He also calls us to accompany the young with our wisdom, bringing forth from our store things both new and old (CV 16).

Confessio
Sad to say, we have been remiss of this duty. We bow our heads in shame and beat our breasts for the transgressions, abuses, in particular sexual abuses committed by consecrated persons. We humbly ask for forgiveness and mercy and do justice to the victims.

To the World
Action Points
Therefore, believing that we are sent to evangelize the world, we commit ourselves to the following:
1. To renew our ministry with the youth.
 a. Pastoral conversion: to walk with the young, to acknowledge their situation, and to recognize and listen to where they are.
 b. Accompaniment of the youth: to facilitate transformative and holistic formation of the youth, to ensure a safe and caring environment.
 c. Continuing synodal process: to foster inclusive participation of the youth in discerning and responding to present challenges.
2. To set up an inter-congregational office and provide personnel to safeguarding minors and vulnerable adults.
3. To undergo ecological conversion to stem the tide of climate change.
 a. Transitioning from fossil fuel to clean energy
 b. Total ban of single-use plastics
 c. Advocate for the rights of nature.
4. To educate our students and parishioners that the present social conditions affecting them are rooted in the unjust social structures in the Philippine society.
 a. Fight against forced displacement and human trafficking.
 b. Support Talitha Kum and other initiatives to stop human trafficking.
 c. Support campaigns to end contractualization and other unjust labor practices.
5. To promote peace and peace building efforts
 a. Support Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
 b. Act as convenors for dialogue and mediators for peace processes.
6. To promote good governance.
 a. Organize and support initiatives to push for greater transparency and accountability of government agencies and offices.
7. To promote human rights and human dignity.
 a. Denounce red-tagging of individuals, organizations and communities, and actively support victims of the government’s harassments and intimidations.
 b. Submit report to the UN Office of High Commissioner on Human Rights

In the face of these realities, daunting challenges and these commitments, we, consecrated women and men, go forth with the youth with hearts burning with renewed hope and joy, proclaiming, ‘the Lord has risen indeed!’, preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins in his name. (Lk. 24:34,47).

For the Participants to the AMRSP Joint Biennial Convention,

Fr. Cielito R. Almazan, OFM

Sr. Marilyn A. Java, RC
AMRSP Co-Chairpersons

Hotel Del Rio
Iloilo City July 17, 2019.