Philippine evangelisation conference in Manila highlights friendship, accompaniment and mission as key pillars of Christian witness today.
Newsroom (28/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) Friendship emerged as the central theme of Christian mission during the 12th Philippine Conference on the New Evangelisation, held from 24 to 26 July at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Organised annually by the Archdiocese of Manila since 2013, the conference brought together hundreds of priests, religious, catechists, educators, pastoral workers and young people to reflect on new ways of proclaiming the Gospel in a rapidly changing social landscape. This year’s theme, “Sangkay” (“Friends”), invited participants to rediscover friendship as a foundational element of evangelisation, inspired by Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John: “I have called you friends” (Jn 15:15).
Opening the gathering, Cardinal José Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, emphasized the importance of accompanying people patiently on their faith journey. Presiding over the opening Mass, he stressed that genuine evangelisation is rooted in relationships rather than persuasion.
“Authentic evangelisation grows through friendship and love, not through pressure or coercion,” the cardinal said, encouraging the faithful to approach missionary work through understanding, accompaniment and compassion.
The theme of friendship was echoed throughout the conference by church leaders and speakers, who presented it not simply as a personal virtue but as a model for Christian outreach in the contemporary world.
In his opening address, Fr Louie R. Coronel, Secretary-General of the University of Santo Tomas, reflected on the example of Jesus, describing his ministry as one marked by closeness and personal engagement.
“Jesus did not merely preach from the pulpit: he walked with people, sat at their tables, and listened to their stories,” Fr Coronel said. He added that before seeking ways to bring the Gospel to others, Christians must first allow Jesus to become their friend.
Fr Jason H. Laguerta, director of the Office for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation and head of the conference, similarly called on priests, religious and lay faithful to embrace friendship as an authentic missionary vocation. He argued that the effectiveness of evangelisation should be measured not by statistics but by the quality and transformation of human relationships.
“The success of the mission is not measured in numbers, but in the transformation of our relationships,” he said, urging participants to become companions who accompany others in faith rather than merely identify themselves as Christians.
The conference also explored the broader ecclesial implications of friendship. Monsignor Daniel O. Presto, chairman of the Commission for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, described friendship with Christ as the source of authentic human relationships and a cornerstone of a synodal Church.
According to Monsignor Presto, missionary disciples are formed through communities where people listen to one another, accompany one another and walk together in faith. Looking toward the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033, he encouraged Catholics not only to preserve their own relationship with Jesus but also to intentionally share their faith with those living on the margins of society.
“Faith is meant to be shared, not simply preserved,” he said, underscoring the missionary responsibility of every believer.
The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, also addressed the conference, highlighting the specifically Christian understanding of friendship. For Christians, he said, friendship is rooted in communion with Christ and expressed through self-giving love.
“In our mission as Christians, friendship means communion in Christ,” he noted, describing such love as one that “is always a love of sacrifice”.
This year’s conference placed particular emphasis on the experiences and concerns of younger generations. According to programme coordinator John Rey Espinoza, the choice of friendship as the central theme was influenced by the challenges created by digital communication and changing patterns of social interaction.
In response to these realities, organisers designed a programme that connected evangelisation with contemporary issues affecting young people and families. Alongside liturgical celebrations and keynote conferences, participants attended workshops addressing mental health, parenthood in the digital age, the fight against discrimination and other social concerns relevant to younger generations.
One of the most notable moments of the conference was a dialogue led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation. The discussion brought together religious and laypeople engaged in various ecclesial and social ministries.
Through a series of personal testimonies, participants reflected on how evangelisation begins with a personal encounter with Christ and unfolds through relationships marked by listening, accompaniment and service. A common theme emerged from the dialogue: the mission of the Church is carried forward not only through teaching but through the creation of meaningful human connections that enable people to experience faith in community.
As the conference concluded, speakers repeatedly returned to a shared conviction that friendship remains one of the most effective and authentic expressions of Christian witness. In a world shaped by technological change and evolving social relationships, participants were challenged to become companions to others, fostering communities where faith is shared through presence, dialogue and service.
The message of “Sangkay” offered a clear vision for evangelisation in the Philippines: a mission grounded in friendship with Christ and expressed through relationships that accompany others on their journey of faith.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Asianews.it
