Pope Francis Appointed a Filipino Theologian to Be Part of the Vatican Assembly
In a historic first for the Vatican, the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is expected to host 70 non-bishops, with 10 of them coming from Asia, and all of whom have been appointed by Pope Francis. And among them is its first-ever Filipina theologian by the name of Dr. Estela Padilla.
The Vatican announced Padilla's appointment in a release for the Synod of Bishops. She currently sits as the executive secretary of the Office of Theological Concerns at the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences and a consultant to the Commission on Basic Ecclesial Communities of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Padilla is said to provide insights into the synodal processes related to the Philippine context.
The theologian obtained her doctorate in applied theology from La Salle. While juggling responsibilities with the CBCP, Padilla is completing another doctorate in organization development from the Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute.
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Joining Padilla in her trip will be CBCP president and Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP vice president, Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, and Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.
Under the direction of the Pope, the Synod of Bishops this coming October was organized as part of a consultative process. It seeks to make the church more inclusive as it expands its influence. The gathering will feature discussions about current issues that plague the church and society.
Pope Francis was said to have focused on the participation of women and "young people" in the assembly. It will host 10 non-bishop members who will be coming to the meet, coming from the likes of Africa, North America, Latin America, Eastern Churches and the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania. Each member, including the 59-year-old Padilla, will enjoy voting rights, as well.
The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops from October 4 to 29, 2023.
