Today, the Presbyterium of the Archdiocese of Cebu gathered at the Pope John XXIII Seminary for their Monthly Recollection.
The gathering began with a Holy Hour, inviting the priests into a deeper encounter with the Lord. This was followed by a reflection by Jesuit priest Fr. Daniel Patrick Huang, a professor at the Faculty of Missiology of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, on the theme “Safeguarding Truth and Freedom in the Attention Age,” drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.
Amid an age increasingly shaped by digital platforms, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and the constant demand for attention, Fr. Huang offered the presbyterium an opportunity to reflect on their mission to uphold truth, protect human freedom, and remain faithful witnesses of Christ in an ever-changing media landscape.
In the afternoon, Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
In his homily, Archbishop Abet invited the clergy to reflect deeply on their relationship with power and money—two realities that, in themselves, are not inherently bad.
He underscored that authority is necessary to lead, while money is necessary to meet life’s needs. The danger, however, begins when these gifts cease to be tools for service and instead begin to control the person who possesses them.
“Daghan nato matintal maghunahuna nga kining duha, kinahanglan maato aron nga malipay. Usahay late nata makaamgo nga di diay. Atong iampo nga bisan karon pa makaamgo nata, nga kining duha, sa daghang higayon gani, makahimo pang babag nato sa pagpaduol sa Ginoo,” said Archbishop Abet.
The good Archbishop likewise reminded the clergy of a fundamental truth of their vocation: they are not God. Though entrusted with the mission of shepherding God’s people, priests remain servants called to lead with humility and availability.
“Authority is entrusted to us by God not to make us important, but to make us available for service,” he said.
On financial matters, Archbishop Abet encouraged the clergy to be responsible while maintaining simplicity and detachment.
“It’s okay to save, be responsible with your finances, try to live as simple as possible in order not to be scandalous to others,” he exhorted.
Ultimately, Archbishop Abet urged the clergy to return to the heart of their vocation—to remember why they began.
He encouraged them to revisit the reasons that first led them to the priesthood, especially when the demands, responsibilities, and temptations of ministry become overwhelming.
In returning to their “why,” the clergy are reminded that priesthood is not about what they possess, how much authority they hold, or what they can gain, but about whom they serve and for whom they gave their lives: Christ and His people.