Updated File (March 12, 2014)

BACKGROUND
A joint collaborative effort between the Pontifical Council for the Family (Vatican) and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)

Background
This will be the first Asian Conference by the Pontifical Council for the Family (PCF); The PCF had organized other conferences in other continents such as the Episcopal Commissions for Family and Life of Latin America and the Caribbean, in Bogota (2011);

../2 Background
The focal point for this conference in Manila will be the 30th anniversary of the Catholic Churchs Charter of the Rights of the Family (Oct 1983); Bp Jean Clment Marie Grard Joseph Franoise Georges Laffitte, Secretary of the PCF and former VP of the Pontifical Academy for Life, will be the Keynote Speaker.

/3 Background

In October 1980 the Synod of Bishops called for a charter expounding family rights. Blessed Pope John Paul II welcomed this demand and committed the Holy See to prepare one in his post synodal Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris consortio of 1981(The
inviolable rights of the family were threatened. There were direct and indirect attacks on the institution of matrimony and on the life of the family.)

PROGRAMS

1: Conference with Educators and Catechists 2: Dinner with Lawyers and Legislators

3. Asian Conference on the Family 4. Festival of Families

PROGRAM 1: CONFERENCE WITH EDUCATORS AND CATECHISTS

(MAY 13 TO 14, 2014)

VENUE: PACO CATHOLIC SCHOOL

BY: CBCP-ECCCE

Conference with Educators and Catechists (May 13 to 14, 2014)

Conference with Educators and Catechists (May 13 to 14, 2014)

PROGRAM 2: DINNER WITH LAWYERS AND LEGISLATORS

(MAY 13, 2014) VENUE: DIAMOND HOTEL GRAND

BALLROOM

Main Objective
How the Church and the State can help the family be responsive before God and before society.

Participants

150 to 250 guests Representatives from the Judiciary (Supreme Court / Court of Appeals, etc.) Lawyers Groups Representatives from both Houses of Congress Mayors of NCR Representatives from the Executive Branch of Govt CBCP FABC Media

Other Initiatives
Work for a possible legislation declaring a Public Family holiday (on the Feast of the Holy Family)

Work for a possible legislation declaring May 12 to 16 as National Family Week

PROGRAM 3: ASIAN CONFERENCE ON THE FAMILY

(MAY 14 TO 16, 2014)
VENUE: POPE PIUS XII CATHOLIC CENTER
BY: CBCP SECRETARIAT AND CBCP ECFL

Theme: Families of Asia: Lights of Hope

Objectives: Thirty years after the promulgation of the Charter of Rights of the Family (22 October 1983), the first Asian Conference on the Family aims to illustrate in the context of Asia the Holy Fathers message to the participants of the Pilgrimage of Families during the Year of Faith, Family, live the joy of faith!

Program Design

Each day is based on a quotation from Pope Francis speech during the Pilgrimage of Families (October 26, 2013).

3-day Theme

Day 1 Every family is part of the history of a people.

Day 2 With trust in Gods faithfulness, everything can be faced responsibly and without fear.

Day 3 Family, live the joy of faith!

Moderator: Amb. Henrietta T. de Villa

PROGRAM: 14 MAY 2014 EVERY FAMILY IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF A PEOPLE.

Moderators: (Morning Session- Bp Jesse Mercado/ Afternoon Session- Francisco and Geraldine Padilla)

15 MAY 2014 WITH TRUST IN GODS FAITHFULNESS, EVERYTHING CAN BE FACED RESPONSIBLY AND WITHOUT FEAR.

Moderator: Bo Sanchez

16 MAY 2014
FAMILY, LIVE THE JOY OF FAITH!

Participants
Asian Bishops with two other delegates (1 priest and 1 lay faithful involved in family life ministry) = 3 per invited Asian country estimated at 20 x 3 delegates = 60 Asian participants/delegates Philippine Bishops Diocesan and Parish Family and Life Directors Parish Pastoral Councils Family Movements/Communities

PROGRAM 4 FESTIVAL OF FAMILIES

(MAY16, 2014)
VENUE: UST - QPAV

Program Design

It will be the culminating activity; It will be a celebration of generations of families.

Participants
1)

2)
3)

All participants from May 13 to 16, 2014; Open to members of family and other lay movements; Asian and Philippine Bishops plus their staff members.

Organizing Committee
Abp Soc Villegas, Bp Gabby Reyes, (ECFL) Bp Jesse Mercado (Year of the LaityECLA) and Bp Francis De Leon (ECCCE)