By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

College of Theology Professor Rea Angelica Faulan Villeza spoke at the National Council of Churches in the Philippines’ (NCCP) virtual Ecumenical Liturgical Gathering in commemoration of World AIDS Day with the theme “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility” on Tuesday, December 21, 2020.

In her Biblico-Theological reflection, Prof. Villeza, shared about the story of the Four Friends and the Paralytic who was healed by Jesus. She also talked about their significant actions and its implications in the church’s response on the prevailing issue concerning HIV/AIDS.

“To be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering, powerless and marginalized like people living with HIV/ AIDS, the poor and the oppressed is to act on their behalf; to lend our strength and our voice to them through advocacies, civic and social engagement, prophetic proclamation and concrete actions that will address their immediate needs,” said Prof. Villeza. She emphasized on the significance of action and how it coincides with the theme of the commemoration.

Prof. Rea Villeza is a former volunteer worker of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churchers (CPBC).

“Our profound words, our radical ideas, the established forms and structures can only go so far at the end of the day, what will count is whether we will lay down our lives for others and to lay down one’s life could mean willingness to be inconvenienced, to suffer with others and to be our sister or brother’s keeper. For us in the community of faith, our concern and sense of responsibility for the welfare of our brothers and sisters is more than just obedience to Jesus Christ, it is our distinctive mark and a manifestation of our witness to the world.”

The gathering was attended by members of NCCP churches all over the country.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) is the largest aggrupation of mainline Protestant and non-Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines. With ten member-churches and nine associate members, it is the largest non-Catholic church organization in the Philippines. The Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches is a founding member of NCCP.