Remarks of the HON. ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs  

On the Occasion of the Signing of the  Agreement 
on the Cultural Heritage of the Catholic Church between the Philippines and the Holy See

Carlos P. Garcia Conference Room, DFA
17 April 2007  

His Excellency Most Reverend Fernando Filoni,
His Eminence Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales,
His Eminence Cardinal Ricardo Vidal,
His Eminence Cardinal Jose Sanchez,
Most Reverend Angel Lagdameo,
Most Reverend Julito Cortes,
Reverend Monsignor Juanito Figuro,
Distinguished Guests, Friends:  

Today we are drawn together, in grateful recognition of that which sustains and inspires millions of Filipinos, as individuals and as a people.  

The Filipino's faith is a vital part of his culture.  Its influence is pervasive and its impact profound. It is articulated each time a Filipino child declares his trust in the Almighty in his first prayer.  

It is demonstrated in every act of kindness towards fellowmen in the spirit of Filipino family and community called bayanihan.  It is resoundingly reaffirmed as Filipinos continue to strive for greater peace, equitable development and prosperity for all of our nation's stakeholders.  

The Filipino's faith uplifts and ennobles. In the most trying of times, it emboldens the Filipino to overcome seemingly daunting challenges, and in victory, it humbles the Filipino's grateful heart.  

The Catholic Church strengthens the Filipino's unshakeable faith.  Its teachings and doctrines guide the Filipino in his everyday life, and with its universal presence, the Catholic Church continues to move and mold Filipinos in a positive manner.  

While the Filipino's expressions of faith appear to have secured a permanent place in the Philippines' mental and physical landscapes, there is need to protect and preserve those from which we derive this faith and strength.  

Our people's symbols of faith are a valuable cultural heritage which identify us as a distinct people. They comprise both tangible and intangible legacies from which future generations can learn from and build on. They are modes of contact by which faith and culture are transmitted.  

Catholic churches are testaments to the enduring Filipino faith.  They are also repositories of artifacts and icons that are divinely inspired and universally accepted works of art.  The Catholic Church likewise holds historical records of importance, and Catholic churches and similar properties are the venues where centuries-old traditions and practices of faith have found enrichment and fulfillment.  

We cannot afford to lose these vital parts of our cultural heritage.  

This is why we have worked hard to conclude this Agreement on the Cultural Heritage of the Catholic Church between the Philippines and the Holy See.  Protecting and preserving this cultural heritage is a sacred responsibility to both our people and to the larger community of the faithful in the world.  

Through this Agreement, we aim to preserve the integrity of the cultural heritage of the Catholic Church in the Philippines.  Through this agreement, the Philippines and the Holy See commit to implement measures that include, among others, the regulation of Church properties and artifacts through proper inventory, restoration, the implementation of anti-trafficking measures, custody and security, archiving, and the promotion of tourism to cultural heritage sites.  

I wish to express the Department's most profound appreciation to the Apostolic Nunciature, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and other concerned agencies for collaborating on the finalization of this vital accord.  

With this Agreement, we strengthen further the ties between the Philippines and the Holy See as we likewise further strengthen our conviction that, with our shared commitment, our faith and our cultural heritage will continue to move us and our posterity positively.  

Thank you and good afternoon.  END

/jay

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