MANILA, February 7, 2010—Diocesan Bible Directors and Lay Coordinators from the different parts of the Philippines will come together for the upcoming 18th National Biblical Workshop that will be hosted by the Biblical Pastoral Ministry-National Capital Region.

The workshop is set on February 9-13, 2010 at the Club Balai Isabel, Talisay in Batangas.

Representatives of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) and the Philippine Bible Society (PBS) will also be participating.

“We expect about 300 from all over the Philippines. Representatives will be all the diocesan bible directors, lay coordinators and bishop members and we have representatives from SIL or the Summer Institute of Linguistics and PBS, our co-network in the ecumenical endeavor,” as said by Fr. Oscar Alunday, Executive Secretary of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA).

Alunday also said that that the workshop aims to strengthen the biblico-pastoral ministry in the country, among others.

“This is done every other two years. Nagmi-meeting kami, the last meeting was in Cagayan de Oro. Tinitignan namin ang galaw-biblia sa buong bansa sa different dioceses. We have evaluations and planning together kung papaano ulit palalakasin ang biblical pastoral ministry sa Pilipinas,” he said.

This year’s theme is “May They Be One: The Word of God is the Life and Mission of the Church.”

A Bible enthronement at the St. Peter’s Regional Center in Batangas will open the activity then a lecture from Ambassador Henrietta De Villa, Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) will follow.

De Villa will discuss on the connection between the PPCRV and the Biblical Pastoral Ministry.

San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David and new Chairman of ECBA will be the main celebrant during the Eucharistic Celebration.

He will also deliver his keynote address about the theme and will be the speaker on the talk entitled, “House of the Word.”

Other speakers include Imus Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle, DD, who will speak on the topic “Voice of the Word”, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, who will discuss on “Face of the Word” and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo will tackle “Roads of the Word.” (Kate Laceda)