Another step toward ecumenism

Title

Identifier

Religion

Language

English

Source

The Republic (2) 31 March 1973

Year

1973

Subject

Ecumenical movement

Ramsey, Arthur Michael -- Abp. of Canterbury

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

GReligion Another step toward ecumenism For four days last week, the Most Reverend Arthur Michael Ramsey, the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England, was in Manila to promote ecumenism. The visiting dignitary is the spiritual head of about 60 million members of the Anglican Communion all over the world and the former head of the World Council of Churches. This sojourn was his first pastoral visit to the members of the Philippine Episcopal Church and the Philippine Independent Church. The PIC, which was founded by the late Isabelo de los Reyes and Gregorio Aglipay, is in full communion with the Church of England in accordance with a Concordat reached ten years ago. The sojourn of the Anglican prelate was the second time for a religious world leader of his stature to visit the Philippines, the first being the historic pilgrimage of Pope Paul VI two years ago. A tight schedule in Ma nila included a- call on both govern ment and Church dignitaries, which brought into focus the efforts being exerted by the world’s Christian spiritual leaders towards fostering closer and more harmonious relations among the churches which may eventually lead to the reunification of Christianity under one fold. The Manila visit, which was part of an extensive tour of the Far East countries — India, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan — symbolizes the fast-spreading spirit of ecumenism that the Anglican Primate has been promoting through the years. “I have been playing a part in the ecumenical movement for as long as I can remember,” the bulky archbishop said. PEOPLE Journalists, naturally, would much prefer to write the news; on occasion, without half trying and without mean ing to, they make it. And who would not, especially if she is one of the most engaging and powerful figures in journalism in her country? Such a one is Mrs. Katharine Meyer Graham, president of the Washington Post Co., Mrs. Marcos and Mrs. Graham (left) Accompanied by British Ambassa dor James Turpin in a courtesy call at Malacanang, the 69-year-old arch bishop. thanked President Marcos for the great interest shown by the Fili pino people in his visit despite the fact that the Philippines is a predominant ly Catholic country. The First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, assured Dr. and Mrs. Ramsey, that their visit was welcomed by everyone. The President told the Archbishop of Canterbury that the churches have played a most encouraging role in helping bring about the regeneration and reformation which the govern ment is bringing about in the Philip pines. The country, the President said, is “seeking a change of the heart and spirit,” and that the churches are best qualified to bring about that change. “Christianity is so strong and the Church is important to the life of the people,” the Archbishop agreed. . A lively exchange of impressions transpired in the meeting between the Anglican Primate and Rufino Cardinal Santos, Archbishop of Manila, at the latter’s Mandaluyong residence. Archbishop Ramsey asked the Car dinal: “Are the people here over whelmingly Christian? And can we call them practising Christian? ” The answer of the Filipino Cardi nal: “Yes, 95 percent, Your Grace,” citing a survey in 1967 which showed that 57.5 percent of the Christian population attend Sunday Mass or services. The midmorning talk between the two religious leaders centered mostly on ecumenism. “Are relations growing between the which owns the Washington Post, Newsweek, and a string of radio and television stations in the United States. Mrs. Graham, together with top executives and editors of News week, was in town for two days last week, for a first-hand view of Philip pine conditions and for a meeting with President Marcos and other gov ernment officials. Mrs. Graham’s party was met at the airport by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos. Later they were hohored at a dinner in Ma lacanang. During an exchange of toasts, the President, explaining “mar tial law, Philippine style,” said Fili pinos would continue doing what they thought best for their country. Mrs. Graham replied that US media, in re porting and interpreting events in the Philippines, were striving to consider the Filipino point of view. * * * For generations, the textbooks he edited served as the main academic fare of thousands of Filipino school children. He also had a string of “firsts” to his credit: first Filipino su perintendent of schools, first director of public schools, first secretary of education, first resident commissioner in Washington. He later tried his hand at politics and rose to become Senate president protempore. On top of these, he is widely regarded as one of the pillars of the Philippine inde pendence movement. Last March 14, just nine days before his 84th birth day, a visibly moved Camilo Osias stood at Malacanang’s reception hall to receive from President Marcos the Archbishop Ramsey with Catholic church hierarchy: ecumenism in a new vein. Catholic church and other churches here? ” the Anglican head asked. Cardinal Santos answered: “Everything is still under study. But we are proceeding toward cooperation and improving relations with other churches in uplifting social condi tions.” The visiting dignitary’s itinerary in cluded a call on Manila Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing and Quezon City Mayor Norberto Amoranto. He officiated at the ecumenical service held at the Cathedral of the Holy Child on Taft Avenue — the national cathedral of the Philippine Independent Church. He also preached at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint John in Quezon City. At the Saint Andrew’s Theo logical Seminary, he met with the bishops of the Philippine Independent Church and the Philippine Episcopal Church. The archbishop is a member of the Ancient Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of datu, for his “long and sub stantive service to the nation, partic ularly his lasting contribution to the educational system.” In conferring the award on Osias, the President said: “We recognize him because we seek to retrace our ancient roots as a people in Asia and to set up a tradition, culture and history which people must respect and be proud of.” On hand to witness the ceremony were the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, and members of the Osias family. * * * Several years ago, she said: “I was thinking of becoming a lawyer. I al ways wanted to be in public service but not as a politician.” She did get involved in public service but of an entirely different form. Last week, Ce cile Guidote, along with another Fili pino and three other Asians, was honored at the Ramon Magsaysay Award ceremonies, delayed by over six months in deference to the victims of the disastrous floods in 1972. Miss Guidote was cited for public service, particularly for her efforts in helping develop a distinct Filipino theater. She shared the award with fellow country man Gilopez Kabayao, a violinist en gaged in an equally commendable mis sion: bringing music to the Philip pines’ rural countryside. Mr. Kabayao was represented in the ceremonies by his mother, Mrs. Marcela Kabayao. Recipient of the other awards were: Dr. Goh Keng Swee, defense minister of Singapore, for government service; Hans Wettenberg of Indonesia, for British House of Lords by virtue of his office. As a prime mover of growing ecumenism, he saw Pope Paul VI at the Sistine chapel in Rome a few years ago, which resulted in the formation of the Catholic-Anglican Commission for Organic Unity whose main func tion is to thresh out matter of mutual concern of the two churches. Last year, this body fashioned out an a<> cord on the Holy Eucharist — its most significant achievement to date, in 1968, the Anglican prelate set a pre cedent by delivering a sermon before a multi-denominational congregation at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Westminster, London. And ecutnenism again is the under lying reason behind his current Asian tour. As he envisions it, his trip can be considered a success if it someho hances “the continuing good reli between Christian churches anc lerance among the races.” X community leadership; and Yasuji Hanamori, publisher of a consumers’ magazine in Japan, for joumalisirA^^ literature, and creative communica- '•x, tion arts. While in Manila, Dr. Goh re ceived another award: the Ancient Or der of Sikatuna, with the rank of datu, conferred on him by President Marcos at a ceremony in Malacanang. * * * The first time Kasuko Okoda was in the Philippines was in 1971, as a mem ber of a student tour group. She did not expect to be back, but last week % Miss Okoda was, to receive the prize she won in the “Win an Island” con test conducted by Philippine tourism officials. Miss Okoda, 21-year-old economics student at Tokyo’s Kasei University, said she was impressed with the changes in the country since her first visit. Her prize: “possession” of Jomalig, a resort-island of imma culately clean beaches and swaying palms east of the Luzon mainland. Which meant, the use of a cottage and other facilities at Jomalig, plus “all the rights and privileges attendant thereto,” for five years starting from the day she sets foot on the island. A bonus was a two-week, all-expensespaid vacation in the Philippines for five persons, or five trips for one. Shechose the former, and she brought along her parents, her brother, and bosom friend Noriko. How did she win it? By thinking up a name for Jomalig. The name she chose was “Miwatu-ku,” which meant Enchanting Isle. Page 24 31 March 1973 THE REPUBLIC

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