Bishop Varquez challenges fellow bishops to be frugal

Diocese of Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez appealed to his fellow church leaders to practice frugality and simplicity in the conduct of conferences, especially when hosted by poor dioceses, so as not to be a burden to the host.

Varquez made the appeal in a privilege speech before his fellow members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on the first day of the 131st CBCP Plenary Assembly on Sunday, 25 January 2026.

The 131st CBCP Plenary Assembly, which runs from 25 to 26 January at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, is attended by 87 bishops from across the country and is presided over by CBCP President Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa.

The assembly opened on Sunday with a Mass presided over by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, followed by the oath-taking of the members of the Permanent Council and the newly appointed CBCP commission, committee, and office chairmen.

During his speech, Varquez appealed for CBCP plenary assemblies — especially those hosted by dioceses — to be marked by simplicity, frugality, and restraint.

He said that while these assemblies are borne out of the generosity and hospitality of the faithful as an expression of their love for the Church, such generosity sometimes exceeds what is fitting for the vocation and mission of Church leaders.

“May it never be said that we have burdened our host dioceses financially or caused scandal by accepting lavish hospitality at the expense and inconvenience of the faithful,” Varquez said. “If we practice moderation, host dioceses will not feel pressured to outdo one another, and more dioceses may be open and willing to welcome future plenary assemblies.”

Varquez also proposed that conventions organized by episcopal commissions be simple, frugal, and affordable.

“The emphasis should be on what is essential: participation, formation, program, and mission. I sincerely hope that these gatherings can be made accessible, so that even smaller and less-resourced dioceses may send participants and fully share in the life and work of the Conference,” he added.

The Borongan prelate also asked each diocese “to make a modest sacrifice to help stabilize not only the operations of the Conference, but also its mission and goals.”

“I am keenly aware of the diverse realities we face,” he said. “Many dioceses carry heavy pastoral and financial burdens, serving communities affected by poverty, disasters, and social challenges. This appeal is made with full sensitivity to those circumstances.”

Diocese of Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez appealed to his fellow church leaders to practice frugality and simplicity in the conduct of its conferences especially when hosted by poor dioceses so as not to be a burden to the host.

Vazquez made the appeal in a privilege speech in front of his fellow members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on the first day of 131st CBCP Plenary Assembly, Sunday, January 25, 2026.

The 131st CBCP Plenary Assembly, which runs on January 25-26 at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, is attended by 87 bishops from all over the country presided over by CBCP President Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa.

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The assembly opened on Sunday with a Mass presided over by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, followed by the oath-taking of the members of the Permanent Council and the newly appointed CBCP commission, committee, and office chairmen.

During his speech, Varquez appealed to make CBCP plenary assemblies—especially those hosted by dioceses—be marked by simplicity, frugality, and restraint.

He said that while these assemblies are borne out of the generosity and hospitality of our faithful as an expression of their for the Church, such generosity sometimes exceed what is fitting for the vocation and mission of church leaders.

“May it never be said that we have burdened our host dioceses financially or caused scandal by accepting lavish hospitality at the expense and inconvenience of the faithful,” Varqez said. “If we practice moderation, host dioceses will not feel pressured to outdo one another, and more dioceses may be open and willing to welcome future plenary assemblies.”

Varquez also proposed that conventions organized by the episcopal commissions also be simple, frugal, and affordable.

“The emphasis should be on what is essential: participation, formation, program, and mission. I sincerely hope that these gatherings can be made accessible, so that even smaller and less-resourced dioceses may send participants and fully share in the life and work of the Conference,” he added.

The Borongan prelate also each diocese “to make a modest sacrifice to help stabilize not only the operations of the Conference, but also its mission and goals.” I am keenly aware of the diverse realities we face.

“Many dioceses carry heavy pastoral and financial burdens, serving communities affected by poverty, disasters, and social challenges. This appeal is made with full sensitivity to those circumstances,” he said.

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