26/01/2026
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
delivered by Bishop Crispin Varquez, DD
Bishop of Borongan during the 131st CBCP Plenary Assembly, Sunday, January 25, 2026
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, dear Brother Bishops,
I address you today with deep respect and fraternal confidence, mindful of the shared responsibility that unites us as successors of the Apostles and as pastors of the People of God in our beloved country.
Our Episcopal Conference is a visible sign of our communion. It is a privileged space where we gather to listen, discern, and act together in fidelity to the Gospel and in service to the Church and the nation. With this conviction, I wish to offer a humble and sincere appeal.
First, may our CBCP plenary assemblies—especially those hosted by dioceses—be marked by simplicity, frugality, and restraint. We know the generosity and hospitality of our faithful. They are always glad to welcome us and to express their love for the Church. Yet such generosity can sometimes exceed what is fitting for our vocation and mission. Let our presence be a blessing not only during our stay, but also after we have gone. May it never be said that we have burdened our host dioceses financially or caused scandal by accepting lavish hospitality at the expense and inconvenience of the faithful. If we practice moderation, host dioceses will not feel pressured to outdo one another, and more dioceses may be open and willing to welcome future plenary assemblies.
Second, let conventions organized by our episcopal commissions also be simple, frugal, and affordable. The emphasis should be on what is essential: participation, formation, program, and mission. I sincerely hope that these gatherings can be made accessible, so that even smaller and less-resourced dioceses may send participants and fully share in the life and work of the Conference.
Third, let us continue to nurture our sacramental brotherhood and allow it to bear fruit for all. I have heard it said that such brotherhood is lacking in the Conference, but I respectfully disagree. It is alive among those who value it, even within our metropolitan sees. We share one Lord, one vocation, and one ministry—the Lord Jesus Himself prays for our unity. It is regrettable that some may be indifferent or hesitant at times. Yet even a brother bishop, whether active or retired, is never a burden, for he is our brother. Our journey of synodality calls us to walk together, to link arms, and to help one another with humility and generosity.
Finally, I appeal to each diocese to make a modest sacrifice to help stabilize not only the operations of the Conference, but also its mission and goals. I am keenly aware of the diverse realities we face. Many dioceses carry heavy pastoral and financial burdens, serving communities affected by poverty, disasters, and social challenges. This appeal is made with full sensitivity to those circumstances. Yet I am convinced that when each local Church contributes according to its capacity—even in a small way—the result is a strong and concrete expression of solidarity and shared stewardship. In this spirit, I renew my earlier fraternal proposal that each ecclesiastical territory consider contributing, according to its means, even a modest percentage of its resources to a common fund dedicated to sustaining the mission of our Conference.
May our response reflect our unity as brothers, our trust in one another, and our confidence that the Lord who has called us will also bless our generosity. Entrusting this appeal to your prayerful discernment and pastoral wisdom, I thank you for your attention and for your faithful dedication to our common mission.
Thank you, and may the Lord who has called us to this ministry guide us always.
