UBC revives BRPC, features synodality via spiritual conversations

Lilette P. Manauis

Three hundred eighty-two priests from across the Bicol Region convene at the UMA Hotel & Residences, Abaca Grand Ballroom, for the annual Union of Bicol Clergy (UBC) gathering on September 16–18, 2025, this time highlighting the characteristics of a synodal Church and the value of a spiritual conversations as a method to achieve this, and a reorientation to the Bicol Regional Pastoral Conference (BRPC).

Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, as head of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Caceres, proposed this distinct part of the priests’ gathering to foster a strengthened response to the call for a more synodal Church and to nurture a deeper and more concrete understanding of what synodality is. Thus, what used to be a get-together of priests from the different dioceses in Bicol to celebrate the Peñafrancia fiesta and live out their brotherhood through a sportsfest, this year, the UBC event had a twist in its set of activities, which is the BRPC General Assembly.

With the theme “Brothers in Mission, Sons of Ina,” Archbishop Rex discussed the characteristics of a Synodal Church and emphasized that synodality is “the way the Church should walk together, listen, and include everyone.” He first presented a perspective of a synodal Church in the Asian context and narrowed it down to the more specific goals of inclusivity, a pilgrim church concept, and giving importance to the voice of the people.

He concluded his talk with an encouragement for “practical steps” that could be undertaken on a diocesan and parish level, and work to define what a synodal Church is. Moreover, he advocated for “21st-century relevance of Synodality,” which “helps the Church stay connected, agile, and responsive in a diverse, fast-changing world.”

The archbishop advocated that: “BRPC is a concrete manifestation of our effort to be a synodal Church in the Bicol Region.”

Fr. Augusto Angeles, a member of the Bicol Regional Priests Conference Secretariat, provided a review of what the BRPC is. He discussed key points such as the role, authority, and composition of the Executive Secretariat. Likewise, he explained the structure and responsibilities of Regional Desks and how they are clustered into 4 departments patterned after the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), and they are: Doctrine and Religious Affairs, Clergy Formational and Welfare, Lay Formation, and Social Services and Communications.

He then summarized his discussion with the recommendations by Bicol Bishops that BRPC has no legislative authority and would act only as a consultative and coordinating body under the CBCP framework.