On October 10, 2025, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas (CBCP-UST) research team simultaneously conducted the synodal research validation and integration discernment assembly in the Metropolitan Cebu and the Metropolitan of Cagayan de Oro.
The assembly aimed to present and discern the study on “Lights and Shadows of Catholic Christianity in the Philippines toward becoming a Synodal Church ” through workshops. The research presentation includes national and metropolitan data.
In his message to the participants of the Metropolitan Cebu, Most Rev. Alberto Uy, D.D., Archbishop of Cebu, challenged all the representatives by urging their gathering to be an “earthquake, not one that destroys, but disturbs our comfort zones and opens our eyes to the cries of the poor, the wounded, and the forgotten.” He called this “holy earthquake” a renewal to rebuild hearts and realign the Church’s mission.
In the Metropolitan of Cagayan de Oro, Most Rev. Jose Cabantan, D.D., Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, during his welcome remarks, emphasized the need for the churches to have a scientific basis to guide diocesan pastoral planning. Moreover, Bishop Raul Dael of the Diocese of Tandag strongly encouraged the participants to “allow the data to speak for us,” as if God is talking to us before we even discuss it.
Though interrupted by an earthquake, the Cebu and Cagayan de Oro sessions proceeded smoothly, blending prayer, silence, sharing, and discernment.
The participants in Mindanao were from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Dioceses of Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, Malaybalay, and Prosperidad (CaBuSTaMPro). Meanwhile, the participants in Cebu were from the Archdiocese of Cebu and the Dioceses of Dumaguete, Maasin, Tagbilaran, and Talibon (DuCeTagMata).
Prof. Florence C. Navidad, EdD and Fr. Vladimir Echalas, SOLT facilitated the Cebu session. For Cagayan de Oro, Prof. Pablito A. Baybado Jr., PhD, Prof. Marites Redoña, PhD, and Lorenzo Reyes were the facilitators.
The Research Center for Theology, Religious Studies, and Ethics of the University of Santo Tomas administers the nationwide project. Prof. Allan A. Basas, SThD and Dr Philip Fuentes are the other research team members, with Rev. Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., UST Secretary General, and Prof. Joel C. Sagut, PhD, Director of the Research Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics, as consultants.