The Church has drug rehab even before Duterte – Bishop Oliveros

MARILAO, Bulacan, January 19, 2017 –  In the Holy Eucharist celebrated on the fourth day of the Fourth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy or WACOM4, Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros in his homily said, “Even before Duterte became president, we already have a rehabilitation center for drug addicts.”

“Mercy in action” is this day's theme for the worldwide event here in the National Shrine and Parish of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan, with participants estimated at 7,000.

The foreign and local delegates were exposed to fifteen charitable institutions of the Diocese of Malolos, catering to persons of all ages, from abandoned children to the elderly. These are: Galilee Home and Dumagats in Dona Remedios Trinidad; Nazareth Home for Street Children, Hospicio San Juan de Dios for Women and Bahay ni San Martin in Bustos; Bethelehem House of Bread in Batluag; Sto. Nino Bethany House Orphanage, Bahay Pangarap, Ephesus House, and Tahanan ni Mother Rita in Guiginto; Tahanang Mapagpala and Emmaus House of Apostolate in Malolos City; Lingap Bata Center and Bahay Kalinga in Sta Maria; and Hospicio San Juan de Dios for Men in Bocaue.

Galilee Home

The Diocese of Malolos founded the Galilee Home in Dona Remedios Trinidad, a drug rehabilitation center in the 80s.

Malolos Vicar General Msgr. Bartolome Santos, Jr. reported that the home is for the wayward who wish to be freed from the vice and come to God’s fold.

“We ask whether they want to change so they can stay in the home or not.  Then they start going back to the Lord.  They go to mass everyday; they exchange in sharing and productivity.  We insure that they will be able to organize their lives.”

Msgr. Bartolome explained that there are many people helping them – doctors, psychiatrists, priests and other volunteers.  “We do everything we can.  We make them feel the presence of God.”

Msgr. Sabino Vengco, who himself is the founder of Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation that extends help to retired and elderly priests, said, “The value of life is the main reason why we act; not only to restore social order but to heed Christ’s command that life should flourish.”

“Our mission for the wayward is not punishment but new life.  This is the life of the gospel of Jesus.  What makes life worth living is that we take care of others.” (Fr. Lito Jopson / CBCP ECSC Media)